Work Begins on Affordable Property in Riverside County, Calif.

Lake Elsinore, Calif.–Ground has been broken on Pottery Court Apartment Homes in the West Riverside County town of Lake Elsinore. The property, developed by nonprofit affordable housing specialist Bridge Housing Corp., has 113 dwellings for families earning between 30 and 50 percent of area median income, or roughly $13,650 per annum for a single-person household to $32,500 for a four-person household.

Pottery Court will include 20 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments and 45 three-bedroom apartments. The units will range from 671 square feet to 1,096 square feet, with monthly rents expected to run from about $316 to $761, depending on the apartment size and household income.

Designed in an early California Mission style, the eight wood-frame residential buildings will feature tuck-under parking garages and green building techniques, such as energy-efficient appliances, cool roofs, low-e windows and drought-resistant landscaping. Pottery Court will also feature a single-story community building with a study room, a great room for parties, a music practice room, a full kitchen, a pool, barbecues and outdoor play areas.

The new 4.4-acre development will cost about $26 million, with the city of Lake Elsinore’s Redevelopment Agency contributing about $9.7 million. Pottery Court is expected to be completed by April 2012.

“This kind of affordable housing has typically been a group effort between private developers, architects, local cities, redevelopment agencies and state programs,” Chris S. Texter, principal of KTGY Group Inc., the architect of Pottery Court, tells MHN. “All these entities rely on each other and are a significant factor in providing affordable homes. It’s an alliance that would be in jeopardy if any of the entities weren’t able to continue their contribution.”

Will the emerging climate of austerity among public entities put affordable multifamily housing in such jeopardy? Texter doesn’t think so, but he notes the entire process is likely to become harder.

“The people behind these groups are dedicated to providing affordable homes and are very determined, intelligent people,” Texter says. “It may become more difficult, but I believe these people can adapt to changes in the industry, budgets and governments to continue to provide affordable homes.”