​What are affordable housing covenants?
Affordable housing covenants are contractual agreements between landlords and governmental entities to maintain a certain defined level of affordability in a rental apartment building. In Los Angeles, these covenants--many of which originate from the 1980s--are often set to last for 30 years. During the period of the covenant, the government will subsidize the landlord for keeping affordable housing units in the apartment. After the covenant expires, then the landlord is allowed to raise the rent on their apartment units up to market rate.

Why do they matter?
Los Angeles Chinatown has a high concentration of affordable housing covenants. As these covenants continue to expire over the next several years, more and more Chinatown tenants will be faced with de facto eviction via rent increase, as occurred at Hillside Villa.

How can I find more information about affordable housing covenants?
CCED has identified several Chinatown apartment buildings with affordable housing covenants set to expire soon. Identifying and verifying covenant buildings is an ongoing research need for CCED. If you would like to assist, please fill out our volunteer form and indicate your interest in helping us with this research project.

Chinatown Stats

These statistics on Chinatown reflect the need for a diversity of in-language resources, community minded development, and truly affordable housing.

72%
Immigrants

Immigrants make up 72% of the population over 18 in Chinatown. Demographics include 70.6% Asian and 23.5% Latino. 94% of immigrants in Chinatown speak a language other than English. 89% of these immigrants speak English less than “very well.”

94%
Renters

94% of housing in Chinatown is renter-occupied. Half of Chinatown residents already pay more than 30% of their income in rent. 20% of Chinatown demographic are seniors who are particularly vulnerable demographic to illegal evictions and rent increases.

$22k
Median Income

The reported median income in Chinatown is $22,754, while Los Angeles County's median income is $56,000. We believe Chinatown's median income to actually be much lower. Thus, Affordable market rate housing is not truly affordable for Chinatown residents as it is rated at the LA county level.

Sources: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/neighborhood/chinatown/

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