SoCal Gas Leases Apartments For Still-Displaced Porter Ranch Residents

PORTER RANCH (CBSLA.com) — Residents displaced by the now-capped Aliso Canyon gas leak who are still living in hotels will be moved to newly leased apartments, Southern California Gas Co. officials announced Friday.

Since residents will be living in apartments that are more like homes, with full kitchens, the utility says they will end reimbursements such as daily meal allowances.

The announcement comes two days after a state appeals court ordered SoCal Gas to continue paying for the temporary housing until at least April 27, when the court will hear arguments from attorneys about whether the housing program should be continued or residents should be forced to move back to their homes.

According to the Gas Co., hotel rooms were originally rented for residents in the belief that the temporary housing program would end 48 hours after the gas leak was capped, which happened on Feb. 18. County and city officials, however, filed court papers arguing that homes and neighborhoods needed more testing to ensure there were no lingering health threats before residents could be forced to return home.

The first group of affected residents -- those living in rooms from the company's "largest temporary housing provider" -- will have until next Friday to relocate. They will have until Monday to fill out a form selecting a new location.

Other residents will be notified when apartments have been leased for them. Until then, those residents will be allowed to remain in hotels -- with meal reimbursements -- through May 2, according to the Gas Co.

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