A new affordable housing and supportive community opened in the Midtown area of Long Beach on Thursday, Feb. 25.
“Vistas del Puerto Apartments serve as a template for a new kind of holistic development,” said Executive Director and CEO of Clifford Beers Housing Cristian Ahumada. “This project was designed to solve for a multitude of crises including homelessness, racial inequity, climate change and economic fallout from the pandemic.”
The four-story, mixed-use development located at 1836 Locust Ave has 48 affordable units for lower-income households earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. Half of the apartments will be reserved for individuals who will benefit from support services, including people suffering from chronic health conditions or homelessness.
“Long Beach continues to do all we can to prioritize the development and preservation of quality, affordable housing throughout the city,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement.
Apartments in the affordable housing community range from one to three-bedroom apartments.
The community also features courtyard areas, a rooftop terrace, and two available commercial spaces that will prioritize local small businesses that have been displaced by the pandemic.
Services provided for residents include mental health support, substance abuse counseling, employment preparation, life skills workshops and more.
Residents will also have access to nearby transportation.
“Vistas del Puerto is a wonderful addition to the Sixth District community, and we are honored to welcome new families to the neighborhood,” Councilmember Suely Saro said in a statement. “This modern development provides much-needed quality, affordable homes and will connect residents to vital services and workplaces in Long Beach and beyond.”
Vistas del Puerto was awarded Best Permanent Supportive Housing Development by the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing.
This project was made possible by a gap financing loan of approximately $3.02 million from the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC) to Clifford Beers Housing, a local nonprofit developer, to support the development of Vistas del Puerto.
“The LBCIC stands strong in its commitment to partnering with both public and private entities to help bring more housing options to Long Beach neighborhoods,” said LBCIC Chair Mary Castro. “This is our third affordable housing development with Clifford Beers Housing and we strive to continue this important work throughout the city.”
