Rose Town Apartments Full Before the Doors Open, Developer Says

Rose Town Apartments in East Pasadena is fully rented out ahead of its grand opening on Tuesday, April 13, the developer said, and almost all of the Rose Town residents qualified under the City’s local preference guidelines, according to a city official.

The 48-unit complex — 47 affordable apartments and one manager’s unit — is at 170 N. Halstead Street, a six-story building north of Metro’s Sierra Madre Villa Station.

The demand, according to Adam Gutteridge, Vice President of Asset Management at CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development, was “outstanding” — and “represents the fact that there’s an underlying need for affordable housing in the community.”

“What’s special is our broad mix of AMI bands, serving 30 to 60% of the area of medium income,” Gutteridge said, adding that three-bedroom apartments make up about 27% of the property — “tough to find.” The mix includes 10 studios, 10 one-bedrooms, 15 two-bedrooms, and 13 three-bedrooms.

“Rose Town really stands out for what we’re able to provide for the long-term recovery from Eaton Fire,” Gutteridge said, adding that CRP worked with the city to “source almost all of the projects from displaced residents, including survivors, victims of the fire.”

CRP did not provide a verified count of fire-displaced tenants.

Gutteridge said the project’s underwriting and construction design “enabled us to find the right financing package where we didn’t have to ask the City of Pasadena to help bridge that gap.” The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee recommended $2,500,000 in annual federal and $8,931,998 in state tax credits in its 2023 First Round. CRP states the project required no city funding. The City did not respond to a request for comment.

Rents start at $628 for studios and reach $1,081 for three-bedrooms, with income limits from $66,540 to $103,200, according to application materials cited by Making Housing Happen in April 2025. Figures may differ under 2026 limits.

Rose Town’s tenant-priority process operates under a 2019 Pasadena ordinance reserving 20% of new affordable units for displaced individuals, according to Making Housing Happen. The ordinance caps prioritized units citywide at 50 households. As of April 2025, it had been utilized only twice; the City has not confirmed that figure, and it predates Rose Town’s lease-up.

Gutteridge said the location allows families to “live close to school” and called the Metro line “a pretty critical link.”

Construction was complete as of January 11, with residents moving in shortly thedreafter, according to CRP. Shelter Architects designed the building, which includes a children’s play area, computer room, communal lounge, and two elevators.

“The opening of Rosetown Apartments is an opportunity for Pasadenans to remain where they live and where they work,” Gutteridge said.

The grand opening is at 10:00 a.m. at the project site.