Monterey Park is trying to address a problem that is widespread in many cities in the San Gabriel Valley. When single-family houses or condominiums are converted into illegal boarding homes, the commercial enterprises disrupt residential character and place undue burden on code enforcement as well as police and fire departments, city documents report. At issue is the quality of life for an entire neighborhood, City Manager Paul Talbot said.
Since 2000, new Asian immigrants have been on the rise in Southern California while Hispanic newcomers have dwindled, said Gary Painter, a USC public policy professor specializing in immigration and housing. Six years ago, for the first time, the number of new Asian immigrants surpassed those coming from Mexico.
While there is a long tradition of creative shared living arrangements, the illegal boarding house issue is complicated by the fact that incomes have not kept up with rent increases, Painter said.
“These groups are likely not going to be able to access government affordable housing because they likely require citizenship in most cases,” he said.