PEA PARTY: (Poor Enough Already)

I was standing in line at Chipotle when I got the call. It was a woman whose name was Pa Xiong and she told me I was a candidate for a job as property manager with JD Home Rentals. I remember feeling weird when she told me she worked for JD Homes, they have a very peculiar reputation. However, after eating a much enjoyed burrito, I told her I was interested.

This is a great opportunity. This was her email to me explaining my 'job description'.

James,

This is an open entry level position.  It will require you to live on site.  Your duties will be to show units to prospective tenants, report all illegal activities, clean the grounds, and participate with the Lowell Neighborhood Revitalization Project.  You will be compensated with an apartment and we may be able to give you a salary if you are willing to take on more responsibilities such as renting the property and preparing the contracts and collecting rent.

Hope to hear from you.

Pa 

Let me tell you a little bit about the complex.

Her name is Los Pinos and she rests at 103 N Fulton, Fresno California.

 

(Photo not current)

Los Pinos was built in the year of our Lord, 1981. The previous owner before JD was a man from Salinas, Ca. He employed a bulldog gang member as Landlord, who rented out the apartments to other bulldog gang members. From what I am told, the owner never questioned anything about it because he always got his rent on time.

Anyway, long story short, the Owner goes into foreclosure on his complex and JD Homes takes it up after.

I had my friend Andrew from Every Neighborhood Partnership come out to take a look around at the complex, and I think he saw the minimal effort of work that is being done on the rehabilitation of the complex. One example he told me was that the windows they are using aren't even really glass, but more or less a type of fiber glass. Cheaper than glass. But on the other hand, they are being accountable to the city. He noticed how they were putting a rubber latex between the lawn and the concrete because it was a newly appointed code.

I am a little disappointed, but not surprised. One of the rental agreement papers they had me sign was one that said I accept the apartment as it is and any damages and such are liable to me and not JD Homes. So... after looking at the 10 coats of paint on my walls, the cracks around the crown molding that cockroaches travel through and the bumpy tile floor- and I mean San Francisco bumpy- I can see how a desperate renter could fall victim to a sub-standard. Andrew said he would love to work on Los Pinos for JD, but when I asked Pa about it, she said that 'liability' was an issue and could not have him work on the property.




The complex currently has 6 tenants and 19 vacancies. 500 a month.

Jordan, Josh and Erik are most likely going to be moving into the complex in May/June. I am excited about that and excited about the community we could build together. I think they are too. So this blog will help me keep account of the events, progress and losses that are encountered at Los Pinos.

Anyways, I gotta call AT&T, a pole in the alley has a swinging pendulum that kids are using to thrash the surrounding area. Wish me luck.





From Fresno.gov :

• "...The City will consider funding for other projects throughout the year as they are submitted to the City. As projects are selected for funding recommendations, they will individually be taken through the citizen participation process as identified in the City’s Citizen Participation Plan... Los Pinos ‐ Predevelopment activities are underway to prepare for the acquisition and moderate rehabilitation of the existing Los Pinos Apartments complex. Moderate rehabilitation will be performed to the interior, exterior, and grounds of the complex. The Los Pinos Apartments complex is located at 103 Fulton Avenue in the Fulton/Lowell area northwest of downtown Fresno, Census Tract 6. The project cost is estimated at $14 million of which approximately $600,000 in HOME Program funds is proposed to help finance the acquisition and rehabilitation activities. An estimated $8 million in HUD Section 223(f) Program funds is expected to provide the primary funding stream for the project, with the balance of financing to come from other investments. The estimated completion date of the project is scheduled for May 2011. Once completed the project will consist of 24 (1‐bed/1‐bath) units of affordable housing...."

(Table/Text available at SOURCE on Page 11 for the HOME Investment Partnership for 2010-2011 Fiscal Year)

Isaiah 58:12

 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
   and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
   Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.