Item 39 - Affordable Housing Project at 2530 & 2534 Westminster Avenue

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Affordable Housing Project at 2530 & 2534 Westminster Avenue May 17, 2022 Page 5 2 6 8 9 Regarding the future Subordination Agreement with the County of Orange, the County is seeking approval from the Board of Supervisors to subordinate the County’s loan to the City’s loans. If the Board of Supervisors does not approve the request, the City will be required to subordinate our loans to the loans from the County of Orange. Project Description The project includes 84 new affordable units and 1 manager’s unit, with 58 three- and four- bedroom affordable units, and 26 one- and two-bedroom affordable units. A total of 75 percent of the units will be set aside for extremely low-income households at 30-percent Area Median Income. The three- and four-bedroom units will be designated for large families, while the one- and two-bedroom units will be designated as permanent supportive housing (PSH) for persons experiencing chronic homelessness and mental illness. The project consists of two buildings that are four stories each, with a series of courtyards and public open space. The larger massing is located on Westminster Avenue and tiered lower to the South. The building architecture is modestly contemporary, responding to the commercial conditions of the boulevard, while providing a comfortable environment for residents. Much of the street facing ground floor is occupied by resident amenities, as well as spaces for service providers and community partners. The indoor amenities and most apartment homes are oriented around a series of courtyards with a mix of balconies, patios, and decks engaging the common outdoor spaces. The amenities in the project include a community room, community kitchen, laundry room, computer room, pocket park, picnic/BBQ area, and a tot lot. Resident Services Mercy House will coordinate the delivery of all services including those committed through the Orange County Health Care Agency. A comprehensive range of services will be offered to assist residents achieve and maintain self-sufficient, healthy and purposeful lives. Working under a Housing First and “Whatever it Takes” philosophy, Mercy House staff utilizes strategies from an array of evidence-based models and practices to ensure residents have access to all required services. The project will provide a full suite of on-site client-centered services for the PSH residents that support wellness, recovery and resiliency to adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness who are homeless. A Residential Clinical Services Coordinator will ensure that a Supportive Services Plan is enacted for all PSH units and residents have access to needed services to maintain housing, a sense of community and quality of life. Lastly, Mercy House will provide wrap-around services and coordination to activate the community amenity spaces on site to meet the needs of all residents. Community Inclusion As part of the development process, the development team has engaged local partners to determine suitable housing types and services, and to identify ideal partners for