Neighbor News
Ground broken on high-quality housing for formerly homeless
Another example of active steps Pasadena has taken to help individuals and families transition from homelessness.
PASADENA, Calif. – National Community Renaissance, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing, was scheduled to break ground April 14 on the Mar Vista Apartments, 20 units of high-quality housing for homeless families.
Mar Vista features 10 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units, designed in a Mediterranean style around a central recreational courtyard.
“This is the latest example of National CORE’s commitment to transforming lives and communities,” said Steve PonTell, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rancho Cucamonga-based nonprofit developer. “Pasadena is an extraordinary community, but here – as in every community – providing quality housing for homeless families and individuals is a major challenge. We’re proud to be part of the solution.”
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Located at 131 North Mar Vista Avenue, the Mar Vista Apartments include a community garden, tot lot and community room with a computer lab. Other features include drought-tolerant landscaping, energy-efficient appliances and enclosed bicycle storage to promote active transportation.
Mar Vista is another example of the active steps Pasadena has taken to help individuals and families transition from homelessness. According to the City of Pasadena 2014 Homeless Count and Subpopulation Survey, the City has seen a 45 percent decrease in the number of homeless adults and children during the past three years.
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Working with the Pasadena Housing and Homeless Network, the City has implemented programs to move homeless persons into housing and provide wrap-around services to ensure housing stability.
“The City of Pasadena is focused on permanent solutions for homelessness,” said William Huang, the City’s Director of Housing and Career Services. “Mar Vista Apartments is permanent supportive housing, that is, a place where the family can live for as long as they need affordable housing, and where they can receive all the services they need to address the root causes of their homeless condition. Mar Vista Apartments will stabilize and transform lives, give hope, and end homelessness one family at a time.”
Joining the City and National CORE on the Mar Vista project is Union Station Homeless Services, who will help identify and provide services to residents.