Evidence has emerged suggesting that Jamison, the largest Korean American–owned real estate development firm, has denied housing to Section 8 voucher holders at multiple residential properties it owns.
Section 8 is a federal housing assistance program for low-income households, under which tenants typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the remainder subsidized by the government.
Investigative news outlet Capital & Main reported on December 16 that, after examining seven major real estate companies operating in Los Angeles County, Jamison was the only firm found to have either refused or effectively excluded Section 8 tenants across multiple residential buildings.
Citing data from the Los Angeles Housing Department, Capital & Main noted that between 2021 and 2024, only one Section 8 tenant moved into a Jamison-owned residential property.
The outlet contacted leasing offices at 21 Jamison-owned residential buildings and found that 15 of them responded that they do not accept Section 8 tenants. At some properties, staff reportedly cited income requirements that would be difficult for Section 8 recipients to meet, or claimed that city approval or pre-inspections were required—conditions that effectively barred Section 8 applicants.
In particular, leasing staff at Jamison-owned upscale apartment complexes in Koreatown, including Atlas House, Siena on Serrano, and Roya, reportedly stated that they could not accept Section 8 tenants because they were “waiting for city approval” to do so.
The Los Angeles Housing Department, however, rejected that explanation, stating that no such pre-approval or building-wide inspection is required for Section 8 tenants to move in.
“There is no advance approval process for an entire building,” said Carlos Van Natter, director of the Section 8 program at the LA Housing Department.
In response to the controversy, Jamison Chairman David Lee denied the allegations in a phone interview with Korea Daily on December 17, saying, “That is not the case.” He added, “I’m not fully aware of the details. I’ll have you contact the person in charge,” declining further comment.
Over the past 12 years, Jamison has acquired more than 6,000 residential units and is considered one of the fastest-growing multifamily housing developers in Los Angeles. The company has expanded its business largely by converting office buildings into residential housing.
Currently, approximately 85,000 households in Los Angeles County receive Section 8 housing assistance. Critics argue that limited participation by landlords has made it difficult for many low-income residents to secure housing.
Meanwhile, all six of the other large real estate companies surveyed by Capital & Main reportedly stated that they accept Section 8 tenants.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
