Ramona Project Developer in ‘Aggressive Funding Mode’

During Wednesday’s joint meeting with Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the City Council, the City received an update on the Ramona Senior Housing Project. 

The project will include 100 units of affordable housing for low-income and very low-income seniors, including 44 studio units, 55 one-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom manager’s unit. It features a community room, management offices, and a courtyard green space. 

The development is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to address affordable housing, including housing options for senior residents and is located near City Hall.

“The developer has been in aggressive fundraising mode,” said Jim Wong, senior project manager. 

The City has put $7.5 million into the project. An additional $8.18 million is recommended under the County’s No Place Like Home program. The developer is attempting to get vouchers from the county.  

The state awarded $5 million to the City for the construction of the affordable senior development in October. 

Nonprofit National Community Renaissance of California (National CORE) is the developer of the project.

The Design Commission approved the Concept Design Review for the project in 2022. 

That same year, the City Council reallocated a total of $416,073 in HOME Community Development Housing Development funds to National CORE for the development of the proposed senior housing facility.

“We applaud what we understand to be the initiatives of Los Angeles County to expedite planning and permitting that encourages more developers to take on the challenge of planning and building housing that is less profitable than market-rate apartments or condos. Pasadena has work to do in matching the forward-looking policies of L.A. County,” said Carl Selkin, co-chair of the Social Justice Committee and Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.