Jan. 16--City staff made an appearance at the Community Resource Council Wednesday as part of an effort to inform the public about a housing element that will be included in the general plan.

Though it was not the main topic discussed at the meeting, the housing element will determine where homeless services can be located in Los Banos.

Planning Director Paula Fitzgerald is moderating a series of meetings on the topic this month. She gave CRC members an update of the progress that has been made.

She said the housing element is designed to ensure the opportunity for places to live for people across all income levels.

"What we've done in the previous (meetings) is identify (housing)constraints," she said.

Fitzgerald said some of the constraints the public has mentioned include the number of foreclosures, loss agricultural land, segregation of low-income housing,a lack of studio apartments, unemployment and misunderstanding the city's role. Fitzgerald gave an example of the public not knowing the city's responsibility.

"A lot of people are saying, 'Well the city can fix all these foreclosures and do property management,' things of that nature,'" Fitzgerald said. "We're really not able to do that."

She said a list of housing opportunities has been compiled as well. They include homes being more affordable and programs that are available to help people buy homes.

Fitzgerald made a pitch about the money that will be available to homebuyers through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The city is eligible for $1.67 million to help people buy foreclosed homes. The money will be loaned to provide a portion of what is needed to buy the home. Homeowners will have to seek out lending institutions or pursue other methods of getting the rest of the money. The gap funding may be about $50,000 to maximize the number of people who will use it. People who make up to 120 percent of the state median-income guidelines will be eligible to receive the foreclosure aid funding. In 2008 California set the median-income level for a family of four at $43,050. That means, if the 2008 numbers are used, a family of four with an income up to $51,660 would be eligible for a loan.

Fitzgerald said she's been in contact with the Redevelopment Agency about the program.

"That's going to qualify a lot of people who were not able to qualify (under income restrictions) previously," Fitzgerald said. "That should start within the next couple of months. RDA is sponsoring that and they're going to be working with local realtors, banks, things of that nature. As we all know with credit the way it is right now, financing, everything's difficult."

Time is imperative for the program. The city has been given only 18 months to spend the money.

The next meeting on the housing element, including placement of homeless services, will take place Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church at 1031 Iowa Avenue.

Enterprise reporter Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or at cpride@losbanosenterprise.com

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