BRIDGE Housing Struggles to Meet Local Hiring Goal for Heritage Square South Project

The nonprofit developer of a Pasadena affordable housing project reported earlier this month it is operating significantly below the local hiring worker levels required by the City, according to City memo made public Thursday.

The City of Pasadena’s Local Hiring Agreement requires BRIDGE Housing Corporation to pay 15% of its construction-related wages to Pasadena residents for work building the Heritage Square South project at 710 N. Fair Oaks Ave..

But as of March 3, 2023, BRIDGE Housing had only reached 8% local hiring for the project.

Matthew Hawkesworth, Director of Finance for the City of Pasadena, said that City staff has been meeting with BRIDGE Housing and its Project Team since November 2022 and has offered various strategies to increase the numbers.

He said that BRIDGE Housing has reported that they have been more aggressive in requiring results from their subcontractors.

According to Hawkesworth, City staff recommended that the project must satisfy no less than 19.2% of the construction-related payroll with Pasadena residents for the remaining lifecycle of the project in order to reach the required level of 15%.

BRIDGE Housing has indicated that they will meet this goal by the time the project is completed.

The Heritage Square South project broke ground on July 6, 2022 at N. Fair Oaks Avenue near Orange Grove Boulevard. It is expected to be finished by late 2023 or early 2024.