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To the Victor, the Spoils?

What you need to know about Jubilo Village, the $20 million “loan” to a private church project, and what it means for Culver City’s budget and transparency

Last year Council approved the Jubilo Village project, a nearly $100 million upgrade to Culver-Palms United Methodist Church at 4464 Sepulveda Blvd, which would include 95 units of “affordable housing.”  This was a no-bid contract – meaning other viable housing projects did not get the chance to compete with this church for the city contract. This includes a $20 million “loan” which the city does not expect to be paid off.

Residents strongly opposed this project, filing two separate lawsuits to try to stop it, but were ultimately defeated. 

The real issue is who was involved.  Disa Lindgren, who sits on the church’s Board of Trustees, was also Councilman Puza’s campaign manager.  She’s not the only one.  The groundbreaking ceremony for Jubilo Vilalge is a who’s who of people who helped Puza get elected.  

The City Attorney attested that this does not constitute a conflict of interest.  But it does raise a fundamental concern about people getting elected – and measures passed – merely for the purpose of feeding off the city treasury, and benefiting their friends. 

This isn’t an isolated incident.  Conflict of interest?  Or just – to the victor, the spoils?

Puza’s 2022 campaign photo
Jubilo Village groundbreaking at Disa Lindgren’s church

1. Councilman Freddy Puza  2. Disa Lindgren  3. Councilwoman Yasmine Imani-McMorrin 
4. Former Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells  5. Former Mayor Alex Fisch  6. Councilman Bubba Fish

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June 18th 7pm – Reimagining Affordable Housing

Join us! June 18th 7pm

With Councilmember Albert Vera
and former Councilmember Goran Eriksson

American Legion Post 46
5309 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Or online – RSVP for Zoom link

Reimagining Affordable Housing 

Council approved $16 million for Jubilo Village – a private church.  Is there a better way for affordable housing?

Come listen to Vera and Eriksson give their analysis on this, and what we as taxpaying residents can do about it.

We’ve seen the headlines. $24 million for Tilden Terrace – a 31 unit building. $35 million for the Astro/Ramada hotels with 70 beds for homeless – $10 million of that coming from the city.

And now, Jubilo Village, a 95-unit affordable housing project, is looking to cost close to $100 million – with $20 million plus $16 million in federal vouchers from our city approved this week.  This development sits on the church of Freddy Puza’s campaign manager, which raises a conflict of interest issue as well.

We are following two lawsuits against this “loan”, which will never be repaid, as well as a staff report saying this will bankrupt the city.  

Meanwhile, the state put our housing goals at over 3000 new units, with limits on affordability. Given these numbers, is this route any more than a pipe dream? Will our city just wind up bankrupt, with nothing to show for it? Could this money be better spent on rental assistance programs, or nurturing our existing housing stock?

Come join us at American Legion Post 46 to discuss how we can better spend our money as a city, and as a state, to resolve our housing issues.