Affordable Community Opens for Anaheim Homeless Families

Anaheim, Calif.—A joint venture between Irvine-based nonprofit housing development company Jamboree Housing Corp. and Innovative Housing Opportunities recently completed a 70-unit multifamily community in Anaheim.

Built to provide quality affordable housing for homeless families and formerly homeless individuals living with mental illness, Rockwood Apartments is located at 1270 E. Lincoln Avenue, next to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and within walking distance of Lincoln Park. The three-story building was developed on a 1.83-acre under-utilized infill site that was previously occupied by commercial units, warehouse facilities and three residential units.

The $32.19 million development project designed by Newman Garrison + Partners was financed with a $25 million loan provided by Bank of America and additional funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Mental Health Services Act.

“Rockwood Apartments offers quality, permanent supportive housing with services vital to help formerly homeless residents and people living with mental illness,” said Jamboree president Laura Archuleta. “The new community also underscores what can be achieved when the public and private sectors collaborate to solve what many may see as a seemingly unsolvable housing problem and, in doing so, open a new horizon of hope for families and people who struggle with life’s challenges.”

Rockwood Apartments offers a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 727 to 1202 square feet of livable space. According to the development team, fifteen fully furnished apartments were set aside as permanent supportive housing for residents who receive services through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), and 48 units will be available for homeless families as part of the City of Anaheim’s Homeless Assistance Pilot Program, in partnership with Anaheim Union High School District. The remaining apartments will house large families.

Rents at the property range from $266 to $1,267 per month based on family size and income levels of 30 percent to 50 percent Area Median Income.

Designed to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) for Homes certified Gold rating, Rockwood Apartments features a central solar-heated boiler system, as well as drought-tolerant, native landscaping and efficient landscape irrigation. Each apartment is equipped with ENERGY STAR appliances and light fixtures, flow reducers in kitchen and bathroom faucets, water efficient low-flow commodes, low-VOC interior paint and paperless drywall, CRI Green Label low-VOC carpeting and underlayment, and low-VOC adhesives. Other amenities include a 3,000-square-foot community building, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi access, basketball court, outdoor exercise area, outdoor dining space, a community garden and 115 parking spaces with an electric charging station.