Objectives of USTU’s Move Request Policy:

This policy and procedure intends to establish a consistent and transparent manner for addressing resident requests to move in initially or to move from one unit to another within US/TU-owned buildings. Our hope is that move decisions will be made in line with the following objectives and that having a written procedure will also facilitate reaching these objectives:

• To encourage long-term residency of people who want to live in the Urban Soil/Tierra Urbana Cooperative and the wider LA Eco-Village because they support the vision and operation of the project.
• To achieve the best fit between residents’ needs and interests with regard to housing, while being mindful of the financial costs of internal moves.
• To act in a way that respects and gives consideration to the desires and perspectives of residents as well as community diversity and participation.
• To be transparent about availability of units across the community.

Decision-Making Framework:

1. All moves must be approved by consensus at a community meeting in accordance with established community decision-making policies.
2. Move candidates must fulfill the following requirements to request a unit:
   1. Studio/Single Units: maximum 2 persons. (Exceptions, such as a single parent with two children in a single unit may be considered at the discretion of the community.)
   2. One-Bedroom Units: minimum 2, maximum 4 persons.
   3. Two-Bedroom Units: minimum 2, maximum 6 persons.
3. Requests may be made when a unit becomes available or when a unit is announced to become available (such as when a resident gives 30-day notice). All move requests must be for a specific unit; requests along the lines of “the next corner unit available” are not valid.
4. All move requests, whether for an initial move-in or an internal move, must be made a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the community meeting at which the decision is scheduled. Move requests may be made either at a regularly scheduled community meeting or online via the internal Urban Soil listserv. In either case, the move request must be publicized via email to all US/TU residents in order to allow for receipt of possible competing move requests and to notify others potentially affected by the decision, so they can participate in the process.
5. When a move request has no competing requests, the community will decide to approve or deny the request by taking into account factors including but not limited to: stakeholder needs, demonstrated commitment to the community and Los Angeles Eco-Village Visions and Values, noise concerns, personal compatibility between residents, physical limitations, etc.
6. If a move request evokes one or more competing requests, the community will strive to meet the needs of all stakeholders. The community will endeavor to create the best fit and may propose other arrangements to determine if they would be acceptable to all parties, taking into account factors including but not limited to: stakeholder needs, seniority, demonstrated commitment to the community and Los Angeles Eco-Village Visions and Values, noise concerns, personal compatibility between residents, physical limitations, etc. Seniority, defined as the length of time the person has resided in the community, will be generally considered the tie-breaker between competing requests, though the ultimate decision is that of the community. For competing requests between multiple residents initially moving into US/TU buildings, seniority begins upon receipt of the applicant questionnaire.
7. After moving into a requested unit, there is a two (2)-year waiting period before residents may request another move. Exceptions, such as an addition of a partner or roommate, or only one unit being available for selection upon initial move-in, may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
8. Rehab issues to be addressed separately.

<aside> 📓 Document History: 2002-02-18: Original Policy approved by Building Committee (as the “Internal Move Policy and Procedure”): 18 February 2002 2005-02-14: Revised/Renamed Policy approved by Building Committee: 14 February 2005 2024-04-08: page transferred from the old urbansoil wiki on 2024-04-08 @15:40 by Nils H., with changes/corrections to formatting only. 2025-01-06: Updated Policy approved by consensus at community meeting.

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