Susanne M. Browne This is Me

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1. 1. www.presstelegram.com

   www.presstelegram.com/ci_76795 - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/9/2007   Last Visited: 12/10/2007

   "The fixes to the relocation ordinance aren't going to increase the supply of affordable housing," said Susanne Browne, an attorney with Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles who represents the Housing Long Beach coalition.
   ...
   But Browne said for renters, the converted condos often are out of their price range.
   
   "We need to consider who it's really affordable to, and we need to consider that it's not affordable to the people who are living there," Browne said.
   
   On the other hand, Browne said the changes that have been recommended for council approval are a step in the right direction.
   ...
   Despite the proposed changes, Browne said limitations on condo conversions are still needed. She said the vacancy rates listed in a Planning Commission report to the council are wrong.
   
   According to the report, the city's vacancy rate has remained constant at 4 to 5 percent in recent years.
   
   Browne said a Census Bureau study has shown the rate to be 3.7 percent in 2006, while another independent study estimates the rate will drop to 3.2 percent for 2007.
   
   "The city staff report is relying on incorrect information to support false conclusions that we don't need to protect the vacancy rate," Browne said.

2. 2. VENICE Paper

   www.venicepaper.net/pmt_more.p - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/4/2006   Last Visited: 1/28/2008

   Susanne Browne, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles agreed. She urged that "on-site units [must] comply with the Mello Act, which was designed to mitigate gentrification."
   ...
   "Otherwise, in 30 years we're going to have a major loss of affordable housing," Browne said.

3. 3. www.presstelegram.com

   www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_ - [Cached]

   Published on: 10/23/2007   Last Visited: 10/23/2007

   Legal Aid senior attorney Susanne M. Browne countered that the city's vacancies are so few that displaced low-income residents often have dismal choices, including being moved to other communities a considerable distance from jobs in Long Beach.
   
   "The only thing out there are very, very expensive units that they can't afford," she said, adding that other units are either substandard or ban rentals to tenants with children.
   
   Countering opposition
   
   Browne strongly disagreed with Frick's opposition to a proposed limit on conversions.
   
   "The city's conclusion is faulty for a number of reasons," she said.
   
   "As soon as these units obtain their remaining approvals, they will be depleted from our rental stock, lowering our vacancy rate," Browne added.
   ...
   Browne applauded the city's effort to upgrade the conversion regulations - adopted in 1983 - but she insisted that more needs to be done.
   
   "Tenants are not aware of what they are waiving when they sign these waivers," she said, adding the relocation funds are not paid until tenants move.
   
   "This makes it very difficult for tenants to relocate, since they need the money in advance for moving costs, such as a security deposit and first month's rent," Browne said.