CalOptima Health, Orange County’s public health provider, is infusing more than $52 million in the construction of affordable and permanent supportive housing units in the region with grants going to three cities and 15 nonprofits.
The funds come from the state’s Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program, which gives CalOptima the ability to fund housing projects, addressing housing insecurity in California.
“Having a home provides the security and peace of mind people need so they can strengthen their health and wellness,” Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, said in a statement, adding that the funding will benefit thousands of residents. “Housing is health.”
The city of Yorba Linda received $3.1 million that will go toward acquiring seven additional condominium units that will become affordable housing for low-income seniors, as well as hiring an on-site manager.
Mayor Gene Hernandez said the housing project will not only contribute to the city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation quota, a state mandate that requires local leaders to plan for new housing at lower income levels, it will give the city a much-needed “balanced housing palette.”
“We want all of our various elements of our community, our family units, to be able to afford to live in our city,” Hernandez said. “Yorba Linda is noted for having very nice, large homes and some low income on our east end, but in the middle seems to be where we really need to stress more variety so that our middle class income earners can purchase their homes.”
CalOptima Health awarded about $6 million to the city of Brea. The city is proposing the development of a 40-unit permanent supportive housing project for people who are experiencing homelessness and earning 30% or less of the average income in the city of Brea.
The city of Anaheim was awarded about $5.3 million. The city’s Housing and Community Development Department received $1.5 million to go toward Finamore Place, a housing project for large families and formerly homeless families. About $3.8 million was awarded to the Anaheim Housing Authority to convert a former Motel 6 into permanent supportive housing.
“In Anaheim, we know what works,” Ashleigh Aitken, mayor of Anaheim, said in a statement. “A place to call home with help and support brings belonging, stability and dignity for those overcoming the challenge of homelessness. This help from CalOptima Health will allow us to continue changing lives in Anaheim.”
Additional funding from CalOptima Health went to local organizations such as Families Forward, which is building up to eight affordable housing units in Tustin for families with children. Jamboree Housing Corporation was granted $4.7 million to convert a motel in Santa Ana into 89 units for veterans and other folks experiencing homelessness.
“This housing will have a generational impact on hundreds of families, giving them hope and better access to the neighborhoods that have the resources needed to build a healthy life,” Kelly Bruno-Nelson, executive director of Medi-Cal/CalAIM at CalOptima, said in a statement.
More than 700 housing units are expected to be funded with the grants CalOptima is releasing.
