City to Loan $900,000 for Women’s Housing

To increase housing available to women with modest incomes, the City Council has approved a plan to add 48 studio apartments to a YWCA building and will lend the organization $900,000.

Two of the seven council members, Ted R. Moreno and Tony Espinoza, opposed the project, arguing that it would contribute to overcrowding and was a poor use of city funds.

“We’ve indicated we have a $10-million deficit” in the city budget, Moreno said. “Why are we loaning out $900,000?”

Councilwoman Lisa Mills said that, though she also opposed high-density apartment buildings, “there’s a distinction here. This is a shelter.”

“For a town that gets criticized for having no-camping ordinances and being considered insensitive to the homeless,” Mills said, “I think this is a great step.”

The North Broadway YWCA already has administrative offices and 19 units that can accommodate 38 women. Those who use the facility may stay up to 90 days.

Plans approved by the council call for converting seven of the 19 units into studio apartments and constructing another 48 studio apartments.

The 55 units would then be offered for rent at $275 a month, said Mary Douglas, executive director of the YWCA.

The total cost of the project is projected at $4.2 million.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Room addition

YWCA to add studio units