Empowered By
March 18, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers of the City of Costa Mesa
RE: Support for Senior Housing Project at 695 West 19th Street
Orange County United Way (OCUW) writes today to express our support for the Senior Housing Project that is under consideration. This proposal would contribute 70 units of high-quality affordable housing units for seniors.
This development is meeting a crucial and growing need in our community for an extremely vulnerable population: older adults who are facing housing insecurity. This segment of our community is facing the risk of homelessness at a greater rate than others and facing unique challenges in accessing resources.
About 30% of the county's homeless population is 55 or older. Additionally, the location of this project fits in well with the surrounding community, enhances the 19th Street corridor, and will give some of our most vulnerable seniors a stable place to call home.
The lack of affordable housing is consistently cited as the primary reason for homelessness, so adding more affordable housing will prevent older adults from experiencing the trauma of living on the streets.
Our team have compiled additional resources about the impacts of older adult homelessness which is on our YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/@UnitedToEndHomelessness
In 2018, OCUW launched United to End Homelessness, a powerful collaboration among Orange County’s top business, philanthropic, government, faith-based, and non-profit leaders committed to ending homelessness and ensuring housing and services are available for every individual who may need them.
United to End Homelessness has been an influential voice in advocating for housing as the solution to end homelessness, and OCUW has always supported and maintained that affordable, stable housing is the building block to success. We are eager to be a resource to you in finding solutions to serve your entire community.
Thank you for your support of the Senior Housing Project at 695 West 19th Street. We are grateful to you for your willingness to improve the lives of those in-need in our community.
Lawrence R. Armstrong Becks Heyhoe
Chair, U2EH Leadership Council Executive Director, United to End Homelessness
March 18, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers of the City of Costa Mesa
RE: Support for Senior Housing Project at 695 West 19th Street
Orange County United Way (OCUW) writes today to express our support for the Senior Housing Project that is under consideration. This proposal would contribute 70 units of high-quality affordable housing units for seniors.
This development is meeting a crucial and growing need in our community for an extremely vulnerable population: older adults who are facing housing insecurity. This segment of our community is facing the risk of homelessness at a greater rate than others and facing unique challenges in accessing resources. About 30% of the county's homeless population is 55 or older.
Additionally, the location of this project fits in well with the surrounding community, enhances the 19th Street corridor, and will give some of our most vulnerable seniors a stable place to call home.
The lack of affordable housing is consistently cited as the primary reason for homelessness, so adding more affordable housing will prevent older adults from experiencing the trauma of living on the streets. Our team have compiled additional resources about the impacts of older adult homelessness which is on our YouTube channel.
www.youtube.com/@UnitedToEndHomelessness
In 2018, OCUW launched United to End Homelessness, a powerful collaboration among Orange County’s top business, philanthropic, government, faith-based, and non-profit leaders committed to ending homelessness and ensuring housing and services are available for every individual who may need them. United to End Homelessness has been an influential voice in advocating for housing as the solution to end homelessness, and OCUW has always supported and maintained that affordable, stable housing is the building block to success. We are eager to be a resource to you in finding solutions to serve your entire community.
Thank you for your support of the Senior Housing Project at 695 West 19th Street. We are grateful to you for your willingness to improve the lives of those in-need in our community.
Sincerely,
Susan B. Parks
President & CEO
March 18, 2025 Mayor John Stephens
Costa
Mesa
City
Council
77 Fair
Drive
Costa
Mesa,
CA
92626
RE: Item 2 Consent Calendar - Support for Extension of Option to Lease Agreement for 70-Unit
Affordable
Senior
and
Supportive
Housing
Project
Honorable Mayor Stephens and Costa Mesa City Council Members, The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad-based coalition of residents and community organizations
advocating
for
the
production
of
homes
affordable
for
families
earning
less
than
$30,000
annually
in
Orange
County.
Since
2001,
we
have
successfully
partnered
with
jurisdictions
across
the
county
to
create
housing
and
land-use
policies
that
increase
affordable
housing
opportunities
for
lower-income
working
families.
The Commission is submitting this letter in strong support of the proposed Affordable Housing/Disposition
and
Development
Agreement
and
Ground
Lease
for
the
70-unit
Senior
Affordable
Multi-Family
Residential
Project
at
695
West
19th
Street,
as
listed
under
Agenda
Item
No.
2 of
the
March
18,
2025,
City
Council
meeting.
Jamboree Housing Corporation’s proposed development aligns with Costa Mesa’s long-term housing
goals
as
outlined
in
its
Housing
Element,
particularly
Housing
Program
2D,
which
prioritizes
opportunities
for
senior
housing
on
the
Senior
Center
parcel.
The
City
has
been
actively
exploring
affordable
housing
opportunities
at
this
site
since
the
4th
Cycle
Housing
Element
in
2008,
and
this
project
represents
a
significant
step
toward
fulfilling
those
long-standing
commitments.
The 70-unit affordable senior housing development will provide much-needed housing for residents aged
55 and
over,
including
34 units
dedicated
to
permanent
supportive
housing
for
very
low-income
seniors
and
35 units
for
low-income
seniors
earning
up
to
60%
of
the
area
median
income
(AMI).
This
project
will
not
only
help
Costa
Mesa
meet
its
RHNA
obligations
but
also
provide
a
secure,
stable,
and
supportive
living
environment
for
seniors
who
are
most
in
need.
We recognize that some community members have raised concerns regarding parking, construction impacts,
and
access
to
the
Senior
Center.
However,
Jamboree
Housing
has
proactively
engaged
the
community,
hosting
multiple
outreach
meetings
and
incorporating
feedback
into
their
planning
process.
The
project
includes
a
robust
parking
and
access
management
plan
to
ensure
minimal
disruptions
to
Senior
Center
operations,
as
well
as
comprehensive
security
measures
to
enhance
resident
safety.
By approving this agreement, the City of Costa Mesa is taking a proactive and necessary step in addressing
its
housing
needs
while
ensuring
that
seniors
in
the
community
have
access
to
high-quality,
affordable
homes.
The
Kennedy
Commission
strongly
supports
this
project
and
urges
the
City
Council
to
approve
the
proposed
Affordable
Housing/Disposition
and
Development
Agreement
and
Ground
Lease.
We look forward to continuing to work with the City of Costa Mesa to promote policies that expand 1
affordable housing opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (949) 250-0909 or [email protected].
Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director
2 March 16, 2025
Mayor John Stephens and Members of the City Council
City of Costa Mesa
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
RE: Support for Affordable Senior Housing Project – Public Hearing #2
Dear Mayor Stephens and Members of the Costa Mesa City Council,
The Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition (the Coalition) wholeheartedly supports Jamboree Housing Corporation’s proposal to build a 70-unit affordable housing project for seniors in the City’s Senior Center parking lot. We are especially pleased these apartments will include 34 units of permanent supportive housing for our City’s most vulnerable seniors. The project’s mix of low-income units and permanent supportive 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 these seniors are renters. Costa Mesa’s dearth of affordable rental units hits this special population of renters particularly hard because nearly 40% of Costa Mesa’s seniors are very low- 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 Costa Mesa’s market rate rents. To keep from becoming homeless, these seniors must scrimp on food, medicine and other necessities. Affordable housing is the solution for this crisis.
The Coalition urges you to adopt the recommendations in the staff report and take all steps needed to move this project forward. Jamboree Housing’s proposal is excellent and Costa Mesa’s seniors desperately need this affordable housing.
Respectfully,
Kathy Esfahani
Kathy Esfahani, Chair of the Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition
From: Russell Toler
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Senior Housing Project (comments for PH-2 3/18/25) Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 3:44:08 PM
Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I write to support the proposed senior housing project on 695 W. 19th Street. Adding parking- lite and affordable housing on this street is a clear win both for the future tenants who will live in a walkable and amenity-rich environment, and for the street itself, which will be framed by the façade of a beautiful Spanish building instead of a sun-blasted and lifeless asphalt lot. Here are the characteristics I especially appreciate, that I think the applicant team and staff deserve credit for:
The architectural design is traditional and simple, full of beautiful details, and consistent with the historic style of other important buildings on the street–like the Methodist church and the American Savings building. I think it's a little busier than it needs to be, but knowing that Jamboree could have instead directed their architect to design the building like the modernist condos across from Trader Joes–I won't complain! The height tapers down towards Plumer–this is a nice, sensitive gesture.
The parking garage openings are tastefully screened.
The ground-level parking is lined with occupiable space along W. 19th. This is so much better than the initial plans that I saw 5 years ago, which included a gaping garage entrance right off the street.
The project itself, with its on-site amenities and upstairs courtyard space make it seem like a very comfortable and dignified place to live.
Here is one detail that I think can be improved:
It looks like pedestrian access from the south and west are provided via skinny painted pathways through the surface parking lot. A more dignified design would likely not break the bank. Ideally, pedestrians would not have to step into a parking lot and cross through a potentially dangerous moat. Rather, pedestrian connections should be of the same grade (forming speed tables) and material as the sidewalks on either side.
My hunch is that there will be objections to the project over the subject of parking. I urge you to think through what our insatiable quest for more parking really requires of us: it requires that we admit that driving convenience is the fixed variable around which we must plan the future of our neighborhoods and city, despite how unsustainable and short-sighted this position is. There is pressure on us to grow (both real and state-mandated). We need to recognize both that 1) continuing to say 'no' to growth is naive, and that 2) driving cannot continue to be the default mode of everyone to move about the city if we want our city streets to function well in all of their roles.
This is a great project and I hope that you approve it! Thanks,
Russell Toler
949-375-8682
Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County. peopleforhousing.org
March 17, 2025
Mayor John Stephens
City of Costa Mesa
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
RE: SUPPORT for Costa Mesa Senior Affordable Housing Development Dear Mayor Stephens and members of the City Council,
On behalf of People for Housing OC, I am writing to express our strong support for Jamboree Housing’s proposed affordable housing development near the Costa Mesa Senior Center. This much-needed project will provide approximately 70 affordable housing units, including permanent supportive housing, for low-income seniors in Costa Mesa.
People for Housing OC is the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) organization for Orange County, California. We represent Orange County residents who support more affordable and attainable housing opportunities and more diverse housing options in our communities.
This thoughtfully designed development will provide seniors with stable, affordable housing while also offering access to essential wraparound services tailored to their needs.
The project includes dedicated community spaces such as an outdoor courtyard with a BBQ area, a community garden, a dog run, a fitness center, a library/computer room, and a pet spa. Additionally, residents will benefit from onsite case management, property 1 management support, and a range of social services facilitated through Jamboree’s network of local partners.
The city of Costa Mesa initially envisioned this project as a key investment in housing for low-income seniors, and we urge the city to continue moving the project forward in alignment with this vision. Its location adjacent to the Costa Mesa Senior Center ensures that residents will have seamless access to essential resources, social engagement opportunities, and public transportation. By integrating affordable senior housing into this corridor, the city is taking a forward-thinking approach to fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.
As the demand for affordable senior housing continues to rise, particularly among those on fixed incomes, this development represents a critical step in meeting that need. It also reinforces Costa Mesa’s commitment to addressing housing affordability and homelessness with compassionate, innovative solutions. We strongly encourage your support for this project, which will provide much-needed stability and dignity for some of Costa Mesa’s most vulnerable residents.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Hansburg
Cofounder & Director
Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County. peopleforhousing.org
2 From: Dianne Russell
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: PH-1
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025 5:14:19 PM
Dear Mayor Stephens and Council Members,
I am writing to you in support of the JHC Senior Housing Project on the city's Senior Center property. As a long time advocate for more affordable housing in Costa Mesa I am overjoyed to see this parking lot re-imaging for a higher use.
The need for additional affordable housing in Costa Mesa is well documented. As our community ages, the need for housing for very low income seniors on fixed incomes will grow. As we know, seniors with special needs are a vulnerable population. The supportive housing units will provide safe housing and supportive services that will allow them their independence.
As noted in the Agenda Report the project will implement a part of Housing Program 2D of the Costa Mesa 6th Cycle Housing Element which states “Pursue opportunities for senior housing on the Senior Center parcel identified as part of the candidate housing site analysis and/or other sites within the City.” It helps us to move forward in fulfilling our Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirement for the state.
Jamboree Housing is a well respected local non-profit developer. They have engaged with the Costa Mesa community and given thought to how to accommodate seniors using The Senior Center during construction.
As a Westside resident and member of the Senior Center I am excited to see this project move forward.
I encourage you to support this very worthy project.
Dianne Russell
.
March 18, 2025 Mayor John Stephens
Costa
Mesa
City
Council
77 Fair
Drive
Costa
Mesa,
CA
92626
RE: Item 7 Consent Calendar - 2024 6th Cycle Housing Element Annual Progress Report Honorable Mayor Stephens and Costa Mesa City Council Members, The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad-based coalition of residents and community organizations
advocating
for
the
production
of
homes
affordable
for
families
earning
less
than
$30,000
annually
in
Orange
County.
Since
2001,
we
have
successfully
partnered
with
jurisdictions
across
the
county
to
create
housing
and
land-use
policies
that
increase
affordable
housing
opportunities
for
lower-income
working
families.
We are writing to express concerns regarding the City of Costa Mesa’s progress in meeting its Regional
Housing
Needs
Allocation(RHNA)
for
lower-income
households,
as
reflected
in
the
recently
posted
2024
Annual
Progress
Report(APR).
The
report
indicates
that
only
24 non-deed
restricted
very
low-income
units
and
45 non-deed
restricted
low-income
units
were
produced
during
the
2024
reporting
period,
with
none
of
these
units
deed-restricted
to
ensure
long-term
affordability.
This
limited
progress
underscores
the
urgent
need
for
stronger
commitments
and
effective
strategies
to
address
the
city’s
critical
shortage
of
affordable
housing.
In addition, most of the units reported in the 2024 APR in the category of low and very low income consisted
of
Accessory
Dwelling
Units
(ADUs),
to
which
none
had
a
deed-restriction
component.
This
is
concerning
because
there
is
a
lack
of
ensuring
the
ADUs
will
be
rented
out
to
very
low/low
income
individuals
as
the
homeowner
of
the
ADU
could
easily
increase
the
price
of
rent
with
no
repercussions.
A
deed-restricted
component
to
both
ADUs
and
units
are
crucial
as
it
ensures
the
unit
is
regulated
to
remain
designated
as
affordable
housing
for
at
least
55 years.
Therefore,
the
ADUs
allocated
towards
RHNA
in
the
2024
APR,
is
not
directly
adding
to
the
stock
of
affordable
housing.
RHNA’s allocations for the very low income category is 2,919 units . From 2021 to today, the City of
Costa
Mesa
has
met
2%
towards
their
RHNA
goal
for
this
income
category.
RHNA
allocated
1,794
units
for
the
low
income
category
for
Costa
Mesa
to
fulfill.
From
2021
to
today,
the
City
has
met
9%
towards
their
RHNA
goal
for
this
income
category.
We
advise
the
City
to
continue
polishing:
programs,
policies,
goals,
and
funding
in
the
Housing
Element
to
further
promote
and
produce
affordable
housing.
We look forward to working with the City of Costa Mesa to support the creation of affordable housing
to increase housing opportunities for lower-income residents. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (949) 250-0909 or [email protected].
Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias 1
Executive Director CC: Melinda Coy, Proactive Housing Accountability Chief CA Housing Community Development Department 2