AMCAL Opens Special-Needs Affordable Housing in OC

By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor

Anaheim, Calif.—AMCAL Multi-Housing, a specialist in workforce and affordable housing, has opened Avenida Villas. The property is a 29-unit permanent supportive housing facility developed by AMCAL in partnership with the nonprofit A Community of Friends, and was built specifically for underprivileged families and individuals, as well as persons with mental illness.

Avenida Villas is one of the few permanent supportive housing developments in Orange County. Besides fulfilling this need in the community, it employs energy efficiency and sustainable features within its design. The property recently received LEED platinum, making it one of the few permanent supportive housing developments anywhere with this rating. Sustainability features include solar hot water heating system, Energy Star appliances and recycled construction materials.

The development was designed in Craftsman-style architecture by Withee Malcolm, and constructed as three levels of Type V. Amenities include a large 3,400-square-foot community room with a computer lab, barbecue area and a children’s playground.

An allocation of about $4.35 million in 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits helped finance the project in 2011. Agency funding was provided by Orange County and the State of California through the Mental Health Services Act.

Avenida Villas recently won Project of the Year Award Special Needs at the 31st Annual Affordable Housing Awards, hosted by the Kennedy Commission, the Orange County Community Housing Corp. and Affordable Housing Clearinghouse. According to AMCAL, the property illustrates how affordable housing for people with mental illness can be executed in a way that enhances the surrounding community, while simultaneously offering assistance to vulnerable members of society.