ANAHEIM, CA – Jamboree Housing Corporation and Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) announced today that construction is complete on Rockwood Apartments, a 70-unit, multifamily property in Anaheim, CA. The innovative new affordable housing development provides quality housing for families – many of whom were homeless – and formerly homeless individuals living with mental illness.
A joint venture between Jamboree and IHO, Rockwood Apartments was developed as a public/private partnership with the City of Anaheim, the County of Orange and the Department of Housing and Urban Development on a 1.83-acre urban infill site adjacent to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and within walking distance of Lincoln Park as well as community services and public transportation.
“This community will literally transform the lives of families and people in need,” said Tom Tait, mayor of the City of Anaheim. “They will have a place to call home and access to services that will help them thrive in a community as nice as you will find anywhere in Anaheim.”
Along with quality housing, the new apartment community offers a spectrum of resident services provided by Jamboree and IHO that include life-enhancing programming such as homework assistance and tutoring for young people, plus health and wellness programs for families. Residents will also have the opportunity to participate in IHO’s Economic Self-Reliance™ program that provides ongoing financial empowerment tools, career development and entrepreneurship training to help residents develop financial security and plan for homeownership.
Laura Archuleta, Jamboree president, said that Rockwood Apartments is a significant milestone for Jamboree in that it’s the company’s first joint venture with IHO and the fifth affordable housing development in the City of Anaheim.
“Rockwood Apartments offers quality, permanent supportive housing with services vital to help formerly homeless residents and people living with mental illness,” said Archuleta. “The new community also underscores what can be achieved when the public and private sectors collaborate to solve what many may see as a seemingly unsolvable housing problem and, in doing so, open a new horizon of hope for families and people who struggle with life’s challenges.”
The resident services programming is based on Jamboree’s and IHO’s belief in creating stronger, healthier communities that provide life- enriching opportunities and resources to enhance the quality of life of their residents as well as people living in the surrounding neighborhoods. Social, health, education and economic services at Rockwood include programs provided by such organizations as OC Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Western Youth Services, YMCA, and Higher Ground mentoring programs. These programs are specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of the residents and an onsite program coordinator will assist residents in accessing local community services.
“IHO believes that vibrant communities start with housing,” says CEO Patricia Whitaker. “Our housing developments are a launch pad for our residents to develop positive new habits, dream again, and become leaders in their communities. Rockwood is another opportunity for IHO to put our vision into action.”
Rockwood is the latest development in Jamboree’s commitment to Orange County’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.As Orange County’s largest developer of permanent supportive housing, Jamboree’s strategy is to ensure that people are housed first as stable housing is the foundation on which stable lives are built. It is next to impossible to achieve good health, positive educational outcomes and economic stability without quality, affordable housing. The inclusion of fully funded, ongoing supportive services will enable residents with special needs to live in permanent housing. The Orange County Healthcare Agency will assist residents with 24/7 support of daily living activities, job placement assistance, and links to other supportive and independent living services.
Located at 1270 E. Lincoln Avenue, Rockwood was developed on an under-utilized infill site that formerly encompassed multiple commercial units, warehouse facilities with a yard area, and three residential units. The three-story, podium-style building features distinctive craftsman architecture and details designed around a central courtyard.
Fifteen of the Rockwood apartments are fully furnished and are set aside as permanent supportive housing for residents who receive services through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Forty-eight of the apartments serve families as part of the City of Anaheim’s Homeless Assistance Pilot Program (HAPP), in collaboration with the Anaheim Union School District and the Illumination Foundation, and the remaining six apartments are for large families.
The interior design integrates artwork, a soothing color palette and custom-designed light columns along Lincoln Avenue that also serve as public art. Rockwood’s community amenities include laundry facilities, Wi-Fi access, a tot lot, basketball court, a lifesized chessboard, outdoor exercise stations, outdoor dining area, a community garden, and 115 covered and uncovered parking spaces with an electric vehicle charging station. The 3,000 square-foot community building includes management offices, a teaching kitchen, computer lab, and multi-purpose room for resident services.
With its sustainable design and operation, Rockwood Apartments exceeds California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards by at least 17.5 percent. The community is designed to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) for Homes certified Gold rating. This lowers energy consumption, provides a cost-saving benefit and promotes the health of residents.
Financing for development of the $32.19-million property includes $2.5 million in HOME Funds from the City of Anaheim through U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD); $1.9 million in MHSA permanent financing from the County of Orange; 48 project-based vouchers from HUD provided by the City of Anaheim, and $22 million in tax credit equity invested by Bank of America that also provided $4.7 million in permanent financing.
Already an award-winning community, Rockwood is Jamboree’s first property built by its in-house construction entity, Quality Development and Construction, Inc. as part of the nonprofit’s Housing Development Group. Newman Garrison + Partners provided architectural services, JAG Interiors was the interior designer, and the John Stewart Company is the property manager.
About Jamboree: Founded in 1990, Irvine, CA-headquartered Jamboree Housing Corporation is an award-winning, broad-based nonprofit housing development company that develops, acquires, renovates and manages permanently affordable rental and ownership housing throughout California for working families, seniors and people with special needs. A leading community development organization, Jamboree is committed to sustaining excellence with high quality affordable housing that benefits the environment, the economy and local communities. It currently has $320 million in affordable housing projects in its development pipeline and a $1.1 billion asset portfolio that includes the development of and/or ownership interest in more than 8,300 homes in more than 88 California communities. Currently, Jamboree’s Community Impact Group offers resident services that foster learning, health and wellness, and community building at 35 Jamboree communities with designated staff at each location. For more information, visit jamboreehousing.com.
About Innovative Housing Opportunities: Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) takes a holistic approach to providing high quality affordable rental housing to those most in need across Southern California. Formed in 1976, IHO is a nimble, mission-driven and entrepreneurial nonprofit committed to providing the greatest opportunity for our residents to grow personally and professionally achieve long-term financial stability, and break the cycle of poverty. IHO utilizes creative strategies, sound business principles, and strategic partnerships to create thriving communities with a vibrant mix of resident populations, income levels, and uses wherever possible. Through enriched, targeted services and our Economic Self-Reliance™ Programs that evolve with our residents, we equip participants with the resources and tools to dream again, achieve long-terms goals, and become mentors to others struggling with housing insecurity. For more information, visit www.InnovativeHousing.com.
About Anaheim: Anaheim is a full-service city supporting more than 358,000 residents, 20,000 businesses and 25 million annual visitors. The city provides public safety through the Anaheim Police Department and Anaheim Fire & Rescue, water and power service through Anaheim Public Utilities, parks, community centers, family services and libraries through Anaheim Community Services, neighborhood and transportation improvements through Anaheim Public Works and community revitalization through Community & Economic Development. Anaheim is a modern, diverse city with a proud history dating back to its 1857 founding. Anaheim is known worldwide as the home of the Disneyland Resort, including Walt Disney’s original Disneyland Park, as well as Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Angels Baseball, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks, and the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the West Coast. Anaheim’s thriving visitor industry and business community help support the city’s neighborhoods and make Anaheim a great place to live, work and play. For more, please see www.anaheim.net.