December 9, 2024
Chair Adam Ereth and Members of the Planning Commission City of Costa Mesa
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
RE: Supp
ort for Affordable Senior Housing Project – Public Hearing #1 Dear Chair Ereth and Members of the Planning Commission, I write on behalf of the Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition (the Coalition), a gr ass
roots organization that advocates for affordable homes for Costa Mesa’s lower-income residents. We enthusiastically support the proposal before you: a 70-unit affordable senior housing project to be built by Jamboree Housing Corporation in the City’s Senior Center parking lot. We are especially pleased the project will include 34 units of permanent supportive housing for our City’s most vulnerable seniors. The project’s mix of low-income and very low-income rental units is exactly what Costa Mesa needs.
According to Costa Mesa’s Housing Element (2021-2029),
the City has 12,138 seniors
(age 65+) and 41% of them are renters. Even more striking, nearly 40% of Costa Mesa’s seniors are very low-income or extremely low-income, and another 22% are low-income. (H.E. Chap. 2, pp.19-20.) In other words, the vast majority of Costa Mesa seniors— 62%—cannot afford to pay market rate rents. Our lower income seniors are in crisis, and the proposed project cannot come soon enough!
The Coalition urges you to adopt the recommen
dations in the staff report and take all
steps needed to move this project forward. Costa Mesa’s seniors desperately need this affordable housing.
Respectfully,
K
athy Esfahani
Kathy Esfahani,
Chair of the Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition
ATTACHMENT 3
-1-
From: Devin Valdez
To: PC Public Comments
Subject: SUPPORT Costa Mesa Affordable Senior Housing
Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024 7:30:40 PM
Dear Costa Mesa Planning Commission,
I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed affordable housing development located on a portion of the senior center parking lot. This innovative use of city-owned land will both provide needed housing to local low-income seniors and continue the revitalization of the 19th street corridor.
As the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes, this development represents a crucial step in addressing a significant need within our community. The integration of affordable housing for seniors is not only an investment in the well-being of older residents but also a forward-thinking approach to enhancing the social fabric of our city. By providing safe, accessible, and affordable living spaces, we can ensure that our seniors are able to remain in the community they helped build and remain close to services, family, and friends.
The location of this development, adjacent to the senior center, is ideal. It offers easy access to necessary resources, including social services, recreational activities, and public transportation. I believe the proposed 70-unit building will blend seamlessly into the existing neighborhood.
This project will further cement the City’s reputation for being innovative, compassionate, and effective on the issues of housing affordability and homelessness.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Devin Valdez
-2-
From: Rona Henry
To: PC Public Comments
Subject: SUPPORT Costa Mesa Affordable Senior Housing
Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024 2:01:33 PM
Dear Costa Mesa Planning Commission,
I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed affordable housing development located on a portion of the senior center parking lot. This innovative use of city-owned land will both provide needed housing to local low-income seniors and continue the revitalization of the 19th street corridor.
As the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes, this development represents a crucial step in addressing a significant need within our community. The integration of affordable housing for seniors is not only an investment in the well-being of older residents but also a forward-thinking approach to enhancing the social fabric of our city. By providing safe, accessible, and affordable living spaces, we can ensure that our seniors are able to remain in the community they helped build and remain close to services, family, and friends.
The location of this development, adjacent to the senior center, is ideal. It offers easy access to necessary resources, including social services, recreational activities, and public transportation. I believe the proposed 70-unit building will blend seamlessly into the existing neighborhood.
This project will further cement the City’s reputation for being innovative, compassionate, and effective on the issues of housing affordability and homelessness.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Rona Henry
-3-
-4-
-5-
-6-
-7-
-8-
-9-