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At 1 a.m. Tuesday night, after a marathon meeting, the council voted to use the city’s “below market rate” housing fund for the second time to help relocate tenants, this time after clearing the way for 20 row homes at 2215 Rock St.
The plan to use BMR funds brought out several advocates for affordable housing, who once again criticized the practice of using BMR money for any use other than what it was intended for — the construction of affordable housing.
Following a plan similar to what was used at 291 Evandale Ave., the council voted to allow up to $80,000 in BMR funds to be used, though it’s likely the cost will be closer to $50,000.
Three tenants of the 25-unit apartment complex spoke about losing some of the most affordable housing in the city, apartments with rents averaging $1,050.
The developer is providing free last month’s rent, a full refund of the security deposit, a $500 moving allowance and bilingual tenant relocation assistance — the minimum package required by the city.
