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In this challenging economy, LINC Housing and
LINC Cares remain committed to our
overall goal of serving California communities through housing. Now more
than ever, were focused on helping our residents through these difficult
times and finding new and creative ways to keep building and preserving affordable
homes. Well accomplish our goals by implementing the following
strategies:
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Develop and construct new affordable housing for seniors, families and special
needs populations
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Protect Californias affordable housing supply through purchase of
existing rentals
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Raise the design quality and environmental sustainability of all LINC communities
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Develop urban in-fill, mixed-use, and transit-oriented properties
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Provide supportive services that enhance the lives of our residents
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Advocate strong public policy for affordable housing
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The Need for Affordable Housing:
Despite the economic crisis, Californias population will continue to rise at an alarming
rate. In just 20 years the U.S. Census projects our states population to increase by 20
million, resulting in a striking 59 million people by 2030. Our state has not been able to build
enough affordable housing to keep up. A 2007 Special Report by the California Budget Project
states that housing is the largest cost for most Californians and two-thirds of low-income
working families rent. Further, California has the second-most expensive rental housing in the
nation, resulting in many residents, particularly low-wage workers, struggling to afford safe
and decent rental housing. Many of those that did have homes are now devastated by foreclosure
and unemployment, making the need for affordable housing even more critical.
The affordable housing crisis, further exacerbated by the effects of the economic recession,
is painfully evident among Los Angeles residents. From 2007 to 2010, poverty rates in Los
Angeles rose from 14.7% to 16.1%, unemployment rates skyrocketed from 5.1% to 12.6%, and the
number of medically uninsured reached 28.9% (LAANE, 2010; CA EDD.). Now more than ever it is
important for LINC to continue addressing housing needs with new construction, acquisition/rehab,
and the preservation of at-risk affordable housing.
LINCs History:
Californias population reached 36.5 million in 2007 and is expected
to climb to 49 million by the year 2025. Even with the ups and downs of our
economy, California continues to be the land of opportunity for immigrants,
techies, entertainers, engineers, farmers and their families
and they
all need housing.
Visionaries in government and business realized that with the escalating
price of land, certain segments of the population would be left behind with
no hope to own or even rent a place to live: retired teachers and service
sector personnel, and young working families in both Californias urban
and rural economies. In 1984, the Southern California Association of Governments
formed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization they named the Corporate Fund for
Housing (CFH), and selected a board of directors comprised of government and
business leaders that would see the way toward securing affordable homes for
these vital members of our growing economy.
Building on the experience and relationships gained in these early
developments, CFH formed a new entity, LINC Housing, with an expanded mission,
staff, and service area. LINC is an acronym for Limited Income Communities.
LINC creates and preserves housing with careful attention paid to quality design,
environmental sustainability and life-enhancing resident services. We have developed
a wide variety of affordable homes through new construction, acquisition and
rehabilitation of at-risk housing, historic preservation, and purchase of
manufactured home parks. Each is unique to its neighborhood and the residents
who call it home. To date, LINC has helped create more than 7,000 affordable
homes in 59 communities throughout California.
As we enter our 27th year of service to California communities, we are grateful
for the support of the many people and businesses that partner with us to make
it possible. Our board and staff are energized with new vision for design and
finance. We will continue to break new ground in ways to serve our California
communities through housing.
View our map with the complete listing of LINC
communities.
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