The City of Long Beach, in partnership with the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC) and Century Housing Corporation, last week celebrated the groundbreaking of The Beacon, a new two-building, 160-unit supportive housing development. The buildings will complete the final phase of the site development, which includes the adjacent 161-unit Long Beach Senior Arts Colony and the 39-unit Annex. The Beacon is expected to be completed in late 2019.
“The Beacon Apartments is another great project that will provide seniors and veterans with high-quality affordable housing and access to supportive services,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Long Beach will continue its efforts to implement housing policies that address housing options for everyone.”
Located at 1235 Long Beach Blvd., the development includes two new buildings; the seven-story Beacon Pointe will include 120 units reserved for low-income seniors, and the five-story Beacon Place will provide 38 units for lower-income veterans with special needs and veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The transit-oriented development is located immediately across from the Metro Blue Line light rail and bus lines that operate along both Long Beach Boulevard and East Anaheim Street, which will connect residents to vital services and workplaces in Long Beach and beyond.
“The Beacon is an important part of the significant efforts the City and Century Housing have made towards providing housing for the most vulnerable residents in our community,” said 1st District Councilmember Lena Gonzalez. “This development will activate a key site along the northern edge of downtown, while enhancing a major transit-oriented corridor in the 1st District.”
In January 2017, the LBCIC approved more than $12 million in funding for the development.
“The LBCIC is committed to investing our resources to developments that fill the vital need for additional affordable housing,” said John Thomas, the LBCIC Chair. “This project will enhance the strong network of neighborhoods that promote a thriving Long Beach.”
This project will be one of the first five developments to utilize new state-certificated low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) in California under a three-year pilot program. Rents will be subsidized through project-based Section 8 Vouchers for all 158 restricted units, which will provide approximately $822,000 annually.
“The Beacon will expand housing options for homeless veterans and low-income seniors while providing comprehensive supportive services all in a downtown Long Beach location that will afford the connectivity to job centers and key amenities our residents need to achieve and maintain independence,” said Ronald M. Griffith, president and CEO of Century Housing.
More information on the City’s affordable-housing developments is available at lbds.info.
Source: City of LB
