Hahn, Garcetti Vow 500 Housing Units in Hollywood

Mayor James K. Hahn and City Councilman Eric Garcetti committed to building 500 affordable housing units within three years in Hollywood during a packed meeting of housing advocates and parishioners from a dozen churches Monday evening.

Though not necessarily tied to their efforts to keep Hollywood from breaking away from the city, the move is an effort by the mayor and the councilman to prove their attention to Hollywood’s needs. And, the meeting’s organizers say they expect to help the city officials in their efforts to fight secession--if they follow through on their housing pledge.

Bob Untiedt, director of the nonprofit Hollywood Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, said the group has connections to thousands of people who will be motivated by the actions of Hahn and Garcetti.

“This will have an enormous impact on what the pastors are doing” on secession, Untiedt said.

The mayor also agreed to designate an aide to regularly meet with the group to discuss housing issues. Spokeswoman Julie Wong said the mayor has long been committed to these issues.

The Housing Trust Fund is a $100-million effort aimed at creating more affordable housing. Hahn unveiled the plan six months ago, saying it would be the largest of its kind in the nation. The money is being redirected from the Community Redevelopment Agency, federal community block grants and an anticipated increase in vehicle license fees.