Belmont plans divestment from city-owned properties

“City staff is not really well suited to manage residential assets given other priorities we have. Property operations typically don’t bring in much revenue, but they have significant liabilities in terms of maintenance and repair costs,” Tobi Lieberman, Housing and Economic Development manager, said. “And due to the social service and affordable restrictions, there are limited opportunities to increase revenue at these properties.”

Both the 730 El Camino Real and 503 Crest View Ave. are single-family homes that house individuals with developmental or physical disabilities and are operated by third parties. City staff recommended selling both properties to the current operators, Kainos and Family Homes, respectively. 

Emmett House, located on O’Neill Avenue, is a two-unit, 139-year-old home with a historic designation status, which several councilmembers said they were in favor of selling at the market-rate value, with the proceeds going back into the city’s affordable housing fund. The home is for moderate-income households, though the current tenants are no longer eligible and will plan to vacate in 2025.

“Selling it at market value is a little more tempting because we can take the money and then apply it to a larger project that supports affordable housing and we could probably do more with it,” Vice Mayor Gina Latimerlo said. 

Instead of selling, Mayor Julia Mates said she would also be in favor of transferring ownership to nonprofits who may be interested in such a house.

“While I understand the importance that the value of that house might have to our city if we sold it, I do think it’s worth staff looking into what other nonprofits would make use of the home. I think that there are situations where smaller homes are better for certain uses and nonprofits, whether it’s people who have suffered abuse or things like that,” she said. 

Councilmembers were also in favor of the city divesting from the two group home properties, however, they wanted to ensure the services and current tenants wouldn’t be affected. 

“The city being landlords is not ideal. I think we should be focusing on the bigger picture, so my feeling is to divest,” Latimerlo said. “For the group homes, my main concern is that the folks who live there are able to live there and that the transition is smooth and imperceptible for them … the continuity and the safeguarding of the uses is the most important for me.”