Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
More Caltrans homes along failed 710 Freeway extension going up for sale
A former Caltrans property that was put up for sale by the city of South Pasadena.
(
Makenna Sievertson
/
LAist
)
More Caltrans homes will be up for sale along the failed 710 Freeway extension in Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno.
This time, the properties are earmarked for affordable housing. The California Department of Transportation is inviting qualified buyers to submit their interest in the homes, which are expected to go to auction early this summer.
Eric Menjivar, media relations manager with Caltrans, told LAist they’re expecting roughly 50 properties to go up for sale.
Support for LAist comes from
Where we stand
Private and public groups known as “Housing-Related Entities” are able to bid on the El Sereno properties.
The private options can include corporations, trusts and similar organizations approved by Caltrans. They can be for-profit or nonprofit and must be able to provide and manage affordable housing.
The properties in Pasadena and South Pasadena, however, will be offered to the cities first. Those that are left unpurchased will then go before the other, department-approved bidders.
The properties have been sold on a rolling basis based on priority, with current tenants at the top of list.
Some current tenants are purchasing their rentals. Menjivar said in a statement that more than 70 properties in escrow have been purchased by tenants.
Every tenant in single-family residences on the corridor was given the same option, he added.
Support for LAist comes from
How to apply
If you’re interested, you should send an email to SR710@dot.ca.gov with your organization name, address, email and qualifications. It should also include a mission statement and details of your experience with providing affordable housing, including the number of units in your portfolio.
The deadline is May 30.
You will be notified if you’re approved and placed on a registry for property bid requests. You can find more information here.
How we got here
The homes in South Pasadena, Pasadena and El Sereno were set to be demolished decades ago to connect the 710 and 210 freeways.
In all, Caltrans purchased hundreds of homes to make way for the extension that never got built.
Support for LAist comes from
Last February, the South Pasadena City Council approved purchasing six unoccupied properties from Caltrans. Most sold for thousands above asking months later.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
Best of LAist