In Partnership With Planned Parenthood, City Looks to Develop Affordable Housing Project

Pasadena plans to develop affordable housing on two adjacent North Lake Avenue properties through a joint partnership with Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley.

The Department of Housing will present the proposal Tuesday, July 8, at a meeting of the Northwest Commission. The project involves two sites totaling about 74,000 square feet.

A Department of Housing report said the city owns 1015-1027 N. Lake Ave., which currently houses small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The 30,440-square-foot property is 25% vacant but generates net cash flow.

County use restrictions on the city property end in 2028. The building provides offices for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Planned Parenthood owns the adjacent 1037-1045 N. Lake Ave. property. The organization wants to sell the 43,977-square-foot site to a housing developer by Dec. 31.

The planned development would include 50 units on the Planned Parenthood site and 40 units on the city property, the report showed. The project targets individuals and small families of two to four people.

Units would include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Both properties fall under the North Lake Mixed-Use Neighborhood zone.

The report said the city declared its property exempt from the Surplus Land Act in August 2024 for affordable housing purposes. The exemption requires 100% of units be affordable to low- or moderate-income households.

At least 75% of units must serve lower-income households earning up to 80% of area median income. Affordable housing restrictions must last at least 55 years.

The joint request for proposals will be released this summer. Developer selection is scheduled for Oct. 1.

The selected developer must acquire the Planned Parenthood property before 2026. The project requires 30 units available to lower-income households per state law.

Tenant selection will follow the city’s Local Preference and Priority Guidelines. The guidelines favor tenants who live or work in Pasadena.

The report said the city and developer will negotiate a Development and Lease Agreement containing business terms and city requirements. This includes local hiring requirements and insurance obligations.

Caroline Nelson, program coordinator for the Department of Housing, and Jim Wong, department director, will present the full details at Tuesday’s meeting.