Council Greenlights Conversion of Homeless Housing to Senior Units

The Pasadena City Council approved a plan Monday night to convert Centennial Place from permanent supportive housing for the homeless to affordable senior housing. The decision came as part of a $26 million rehabilitation project aimed at addressing years of deteriorating conditions at the downtown property.

The 142-unit single-room occupancy building, originally constructed in 1910 as a YMCA, has operated as affordable housing since 1989. In 2010, it was converted to permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals.

However, City officials say the current model is not working. 

“The living conditions are substandard,” said William Huang, Pasadena’s Housing Director. “The intensive case management services are not enough at a big enough level to meet the needs of the large number of high-need residents.”

The renovation plan includes replacing the building’s plumbing and electrical systems, adding kitchenettes to each unit, and creating additional showers and restrooms on each floor. Other improvements include adding a second elevator and replacing windows. The project will be funded primarily through a $26.3 million state loan, with the City applying for an additional $1.65 million from the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Regional Housing Trust.

Critics raised concerns about the loss of permanent supportive housing units. 

Sonia Berndt, a public commenter, noted that even with new projects in the pipeline, “the City loses 51 units of permanent supportive housing per the mitigation plan.”

City Manager Miguel Márquez described the proposal as “the best opportunity we have to bring in an infusion of $26 million to improve it and to meet our other mission of trying to preserve affordable housing.”

The transition to senior housing will occur gradually. 

Some current residents may choose to remain, with services continuing to be provided by Union Station Homeless Services. Others will be offered voluntary transfers to other permanent supportive housing projects. 

Currently, 105 of the 142 units are occupied.

Officials noted that 28% of Pasadena’s homeless population is 55 years and older, highlighting the need for affordable senior housing. The change addresses the challenges of combining single room occupancy units with permanent supportive housing, which has proven problematic.

The renovation will be conducted in phases to minimize disruption to current residents. Councilmembers raised questions about oversight of the renovation and the structure of City loans to the property. Mayor Victor Gordo requested assurances that the improvements would be properly monitored and implemented.

The Council ultimately approved the plan, with instructions for quarterly updates to the Economic Development and Technology Committee and a presentation to the Finance Committee on affordable housing financing models.