Deal Preserves Apartments’ Affordability for 55 Years

Photo credit: www.forrent.com

By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor

Pacifica, Calif.—Ocean View Senior Apartments has traded hands, with National Church Residences selling the property to Bridge Housing for an unspecified price. The transaction will preserve Ocean View as an affordable housing property for seniors in Pacifica and pave the way for new capital improvements.

In 2000, National Church Residences acquired the 100-unit Ocean View at the request of the City of Pacifica, with the goal of sustaining the property’s affordability. Since then, the nonprofit provided property management at Ocean View and raised funds for roof replacement and other improvements. Most recently, National Church Residences had been pursuing a refinancing of Ocean View to repay two maturing loans and address capital needs.

Bridge will start renovations next month with new financing in place. That includes tax-exempt bonds, additional funding through California Housing Finance Agency, restructuring of existing debt with the San Mateo County and the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust, and the addition of low-income housing tax-credit equity.

The planned renovations will replace aging building elements with more efficient and higher-performing alternatives; restore and enhance the physical condition of the building; and, according to Bridge, enhance residents’ quality of life. The recapitalization also provides funding to enhance on-site services. Residents will have access to programs such as wellness and nutrition classes and referral services, without charge.

All current residents will be able to remain in their units for the long term, and new deed restrictions have been placed on the property to ensure rent restrictions will continue for 55 years. Ocean View is affordable to seniors whose annual incomes range from about $14,928 to $84,500 (minimum income standard to 80 percent of area median income, depending on household size), though 31 apartments will have additional subsidy provided by the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo.