Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are we?
A: GLEHC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to construct and maintain affordable residential communities that provide a safe and nurturing environment for GLBT older adults

Q: What are we doing?
A: Using a combination of grass roots activism and development expertise, we will build and operate an affordable, independent-living facility for GLBT older adults living in the greater Los Angeles area. The first building will be a 100-unit facility. It will be indistinguishable from a market rate development but will cater to individuals of mixed incomes, with the majority of units assigned to those of limited means. The facility will make available to its residents supportive services, housekeeping, laundry, meals and access to transportation. There will also be a GLBT older adult recreational and social services center providing assistance and activities for both residents of the building and the greater GLBT older adult community. Our vision not only promotes community within the living facility but outside its borders and into the greater Los Angeles area as a whole.

Q: Where will we build?
A: The building will be located in Los Angeles – preferably in a densely GLBT populated area. It will contain parking and be in a safe neighborhood that is accessible to public transportation and convenient to shops and restaurants. The facility will be designed to accommodate all individuals regardless of age, capability or physical ability.

Q: When would you expect to build/open this facility?
A: The current timeline – based on procurement of land in 2003 – would have us breaking ground in Winter 2004, with construction being completed in 2005/2006.

Q: Why are you building this facility?
A: Affordable housing for older adults is a problem in all communities. Many individuals have a hard time remaining in the neighborhood they have lived in for so many years. But for GLBT older adults, leaving their community can often mean having to retreat back into the closet. Like other older adults, GLBT individuals face the struggles that inevitably come with aging. But in addition to the illness, increased isolation, reduced income and loss of loved ones, experienced by all, GLBT elders are often met with additional challenges that stem from discrimination, harassment, lack of family support, and an absence of welcome livingenvironments.

Q: Why is there a need in the GLBT community?
A: The older adult population in the U.S. has grown dramatically, largely due to increased life expectancy. The GLBT older adult community has followed this overall cultural pattern. To date, aging service providers and the GLBT community as a whole are not ready for the new onslaught of GLBT elders. There are many public and private social programs and services that aim to support the lives of elderly people, yet none of these programs recognize or support GLBT older adults.

Q: How many GLBT older adults are there?
A: We estimate that there is between thirty to seventy-five thousand GLBT older adults living in the greater Los Angeles area, based on a range of 3 – 8% of the aging population. This number will increase significantly over the next few decades along with the overall elder population.

Q: What are your sources of funding for this project?
A: Funding will be assembled from private equity raised through the sale of affordable housing tax credits, conventional bank loans, foundation support and individual donors.

Q: How can you create housing for GLBT elders without discriminating?
A: The building will not be limited to GLBT elders, but its primary goal is to offer to these individuals the support they might be unable to find elsewhere. We will not exclude anyone. GLEHC’s marketing strategy will target individuals willing to maintain a higher level of acceptance of the lives and relationships of GLBT individuals.

Q: How large will the building be?
A: The first building will be approximately a 100-unit facility. In addition there will also be a GLBT older adult recreational and social services center providing assistance and activities for both residents of the building and the greater GLBT older adult community.

Q: How much will the building cost?
A: TBD

Q: Who is eligible for this housing?
A: This building will cater to individuals of mixed-incomes, with the majority of units assigned to those of limited means. Projects of this nature obtain funds from a variety of sources (i.e. state, federal, local), each with its own eligibility criteria. These criteria and regulations will in part determine the configuration of the housing, as well as the number of residents from different income levels.

Q: How much will it cost to live there?
A: Housing costs will be kept affordable for low-, very low- and moderate- income individuals.

Q: Will individuals have to buy or rent?
A: Rent.

Q: What types of services will you provide?
A: We will make available to residents supportive services, housekeeping, laundry, meals and access to transportation. Additional charges will apply for some of the services. There will also be an older adult recreational and social services center – which will be operated by an existing Los Angeles based social service agency – providing assistance and activities for both residents of the building and the greater GLBT older adult community. The facility is
intended for individuals who may require some assistance with daily activities but are not in need of assisted living or skilled nursing. Our goal is to foster independent living in a supportive environment.

Q: Will higher income residents be paying more or subsidizing the low-income residents?
A: Housing and services for lower-income residents is subsidized from a variety of sources and will not add to the costs for the residents paying full-market rate. Low-income residents will have to be eligible in order to receive subsidies.

Q: What are Affordable Housing Tax Credits?
A: Congress created The Tax Reform Act of 1986 as an opportunity for investors to reduce their tax exposure through tax credits for affordable housing programs. The tax credits are designed to stimulate private sector investment in the development of affordable housing. Housing tax credits provide funding for the acquisition, rehab and construction of low income rental housing. An investor who is awarded housing tax credits can use these credits as a direct off-set to current federal income tax obligations. Not only do investors benefit from housing tax credits, but individuals, families, the elderly, special needs populations and
the handicapped benefit as well. Rents charged by developments receiving housing tax credits must conform to affordable housing standards.
Because high housing costs in California make it difficult, even with federal credits, to produce affordable rental housing, the state Legislature in 1987 created a state low income housing tax credit program to supplement the federal credit. The state credit is essentially identical to the federal credit, both are allocated by the Tax Credit Allocation Committee however, state credits are only available to projects receiving federal credits.

Q: What is the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA)? How are they involved?
A: The CRA/LA is a public agency established to attract investment into economically depressed communities, eliminate blight in Los Angeles, encourage economic development and build housing for all income levels. The Hollywood Division of the CRA/LA is a source of potential project funding for GLEHC.