The City of Long Beach broke ground Tuesday on a new affordable housing apartment project for low-income seniors in north Long Beach.
The new apartments, located next to Ramona Park, are expected to be completed by April 2014 and will offer low and very low-income senior citizens a safe, comfortable and affordable place to live, Long Beach mayor Bob Foster said at the groundbreaking.
When complete, the 60-unit building will include 48 one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units along with recreation areas, a swimming pool, clubhouse with kitchen, library, computer room, and entertainment areas. Residents will also have counseling, social activities and training classes available to them, the city said.
"We are extremely happy to be able to serve our seniors with limited income, whose only hope for safe and affordable housing is through solutions like this," said Stacy McDaniel, the vice-chair of the Long Beach Housing Development Company board.
Developers said the new building will be constructed to complement the neighborhood and Ramona Park while meeting the city's green building standards and LEED certification.
"Investments like this bring vitality to the neighborhood, renew property, and support businesses," said Long Beach Ninth District Councilman Steven Neal. “I am honored to take part in a project that will not only provide our seniors with a place they can afford to thrive and live comfortably, but will also contribute to the revitalization of the Artesia corridor."
The development is expected to cost $22.5 million with funding coming from a loan from a loan from the Long Beach Housing Development Company, low-income housing tax credits and tax exempt bonds, and a loan from Farmers & Merchants Bank.
