Sixty-Nine Homeless Seniors to Move Into Pasadena’s Heritage Square South

Sixty-nine Pasadena area senior citizens aged 55 and older experiencing homelessness will soon have a place to call home as Heritage Square South begins leasing its newly constructed apartments. 

“Lease-up for Heritage Square South began on April 29, 2024, and the project is expected to be fully occupied by the end of June,” announced William K. Huang, Pasadena’s Director of Housing. 

Developed by BRIDGE Housing, the permanent supportive housing project is located at 710 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

The City of Pasadena has contributed significantly to the mixed-use development, providing 69 project-based vouchers, $6,992,683 in financing, and a below-market rate ground lease.

Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing with supportive services to help residents maintain stability. On-site services at Heritage Square South will be provided by Union Station Homeless Services, including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, life skills training, and employment assistance. 

Tenants are matched to the project through the County-wide Coordinated Entry System (CES), which prioritizes permanent housing placement for the homeless community. The City requires CES to apply the Pasadena preference to PSH projects located in Pasadena.

According to Huang, a demographic analysis of the initial 69 tenants revealed that 97% are currently homeless in Pasadena. Fifty-two percent of the residents are Black, 38% are White, and 19% are Hispanic. The gender breakdown is 59% male and 41% female, with 10% not identifying race or ethnicity.

Heritage Square South offers 69 one-bedroom apartments and one unit for an on-site staff member. Amenities include a leasing office, on-site manager, 24-hour security, laundry rooms, an outdoor courtyard, and a community room. The mixed-use building also features retail space on the first floor fronting Fair Oaks and Orange Grove, with marketing for the lease spaces currently underway.

BRIDGE Housing partnered with KTGY Architects, RD Olson, the City of Pasadena, Wells Fargo Bank NA, JLL Real Estate Capital, LLC, and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee to bring the project to fruition. By providing stable homes and comprehensive support, Heritage Square South aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of Pasadena’s most vulnerable seniors.