ANAHEIM, CA - (November 16, 2010) - The business of affordable housing is booming in Anaheim!

As adopted by the Anaheim City Council in 2005, the City’s Affordable Housing Strategic Plan is filling an affordable housing need for thousands of Anaheim residents and people that work in Anaheim.  Housing developers, contractors, architects, and landscapers benefit, as do local businesses which are visited during times of construction. 

To date, 1,479 of the 2,812 residential units called for in the Strategic Plan have been completed, are under construction, or are in process.  In total, 29 new housing developments comprise the Plan.  Homes are being built, families are strengthened, and jobs are created as a result. 

Recently the City of Anaheim celebrated the grand openings of its three most recent housing developments, each bringing unique elements and benefits to residents and the City as a whole.

PRADERA APARTMENTS
Pradera Apartments is a 146-unit, 100 percent affordable housing development, located near historic downtown Anaheim, on the former CHOC Thrift Store site.  Pradera is the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency’s first state-certified “Build it Green” affordable housing development, and includes a free on-site preschool program, run by the Anaheim City School District, for residents between the ages of 3 and 4.  The preschool provides families and their children with the resources to prepare for public school.  It is an innovative way to build family and a sense of community.

The development also includes a community center, recreation and open space areas, tot lots, video room, and a two-story subterranean parking garage.  Pradera Apartments was developed by the Related Companies of California in partnership with the Agency and the Anaheim Housing Authority.

INTEGRITY COTTAGES
On west Beach Blvd., just north of Ball Rd., tucked away on the right side of the street is Integrity Cottages, a haven for 49 Anaheim residents.  Integrity Cottages is a converted single-story motel of 49 one-room apartments with a small kitchenette, entry porches, an outdoor pavilion, and a large shared community room.  The residents at Integrity Cottages are developmentally disabled adults, many of whom go to work or to social service programs during the day.  But in the evening, the residents gather as one big family, watch movies, have barbecues, and enjoy their new homes.

This new residential community developed by Anaheim Supportive Housing for Senior Adults not only assists with Anaheim’s Strategic Plan, but it also transformed a rundown motel into new apartment units the residents are proud to call home.   Someone is on-site 24/7 to assist the residents when necessary.  The City of Anaheim’s Affordable Housing Strategic Plan was created for solutions to the continued need for well-built and attractive affordable housing units in the City.  Integrity Cottages is one of those solutions.

GREENLEAF APARTMENTS
Greenleaf Apartments is a 100 percent affordable housing that was developed on a former Caltrans remnant property.  Remnant properties are typically non-traditionally shaped parcels of land, which are the result of construction projects (in this case the 5 freeway widening project).  Jamboree Housing Corporation, the developer of Greenleaf Apartments, worked with the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency to creatively – and successfully – build housing units on this 1.2 acre property.

The new 20-unit development includes a resident community room, computer tech center, conference room, kitchenette, laundry room, tot lot and barbecue picnic area. Tenants will be offered a wide range of resident services including after school tutoring, computer learning, social skills development, consumer credit counseling, and financing literacy classes.  In addition, due to Greenleaf’s close proximity to the other Jamboree affordable housing projects in Anaheim (Monarch Pointe and Diamond Street) there will be opportunities for interaction between the three properties to encourage residents to take advantage of other local resources.

For more information on these and other housing projects, please visit www.anaheim.net.

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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