Council May Back Bill to Help Officers Buy Homes

The City Council next week will consider endorsing a proposal by state lawmakers that would provide police officers with down payments to buy homes in economically challenged and high-crime areas.

Senate Bill 257, currently being considered in Sacramento, offers law enforcement officers a down payment worth up to 20% toward the purchase price of a home in designated redevelopment zones with crime rates that are at least 110% of the citywide average.

In return, the officers would commit to living in the houses for at least 10 years.

“One way to strengthen the relationship between neighbors and their police is for police officers to become neighbors,” the bill written and sponsored by state Sen. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) states.

Orange County is identified as one of a dozen urban counties eligible for the program that would last through Jan. 1, 2003.

Funding would come exclusively from municipal redevelopment agencies, which typically are made up of members of city councils, as is the case with Costa Mesa, said Peter Detwiler, a consultant with the Senate Housing and Land-Use Committee.

If the officer moves before 10 years, he or she must repay a pro rata share of the subsidy. For example, if an officer given a $20,000 down payment moves after only six years the officer must pay back 40%, or $8,000.The bill goes before the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on May 14.

The Costa Mesa City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive. Information: (714) 754-5223.