Housing Affordability Improved Slightly At Year’s End
Housing affordability improved slightly in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the California Association of Realtors (CAR). Twenty-eight percent of California households could afford the $564,270 median priced single-family home, compared to 27% of households in the third quarter. About 37% of homebuyers could afford the $460,000 median priced condo or townhome during the fourth quarter. In Los Angeles County, 24% of homebuyers could afford the $576,100 median priced home in the fourth quarter, compared to 22% in the third quarter. CAR attributed the slight increase in housing affordability to “lower seasonal home prices.”

Coastal Commission Approves Final Phase Of Colorado Lagoon Restoration
On Friday, February 8, the California Coastal Commission issued a permit allowing the City of Long Beach to move forward with the next phase of an almost decade-long process to improve the Colorado Lagoon’s water quality. Over the past 10 years, the city has made several changes to the lagoon, mainly focused on removing contaminated soil and diverting stormwater into the sewer system. The most recent permit issued by the commission allows the city to connect the lagoon with the neighboring Alamitos Bay and to add bridges to allow park visitors to stroll across the canal. The next step is to secure funding for the project, after which point it goes to the city council for approval.

Long Beach’s St. Mary Medical Center Donates $143,000 To Local Nonprofits
St. Mary Medical Center, one of Dignity Health’s six hospitals in Southern California, provided grants totaling $143,000 to two local nonprofits, Limited Income Community Housing (LINC Housing) and Project Angel Food. LINC Housing received an $80,000 grant to expand health and wellness services for individuals aged 18 to 24 who have aged out of the foster care system at their live-in facility, The Palace on Anaheim Street. Project Angel Food is using its $63,000 grant to expand deliveries of medically-tailored meals and nutritional education programs for Long Beach residents with chronic health conditions. “The Community Health Grant Program is one way the hospital can work collaboratively to improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” St. Mary Hospital President and CEO Carolyn Caldwell stated.

Jennifer Cohen Named Port Of Los Angeles’
Director Of Policy And Legislative Affairs
Jennifer Cohen has been appointed to director of policy and legislative affairs at the Port of Los Angeles, effective February 25. Reporting to the deputy executive director of stakeholder engagement, her role includes managing port policy and acting as a liaison between the port and the City of Los Angeles. Cohen has previously worked for the L.A. Department of Transportation, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, the L.A. City Council and in the private sector as a consultant. “We are thrilled to have someone of Jennifer’s caliber and expertise on board to guide our legislative and government affairs efforts,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka stated.

Nicole McLaughlin Made Partner At Miller Nash Graham & Dunn
Litigation attorney Nicole McLaughlin was promoted to partner at the Long Beach office of law firm Miller Nash Graham & Dunn. McLaughlin specializes in environmental and commercial law and “has handled a wide array of cases, including environmental, breach-of-contract, franchise dispute, premise liability and intellectual property matters,” according to a company statement. McLaughlin is one of seven new partners promoted at the firm’s three offices in 2019, and the only such promotion made at the Long Beach office.