Caltrans Housing Purchases | City Council to Consider Agreement

Wednesday, Oct 2 at 7:30 p.m., City Hall

PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | Stephanie DeWolfe, South Pasadena City Manager

City Council on Wednesday, Oct. 2 will consider entering an agreement with three agencies in a move to purchase 15 Caltrans-owned properties for use as affordable housing.

Caltrans purchased the properties with the intention of demolishing them for the planned 710-freeway extension that is no longer being pursued. The 15 properties have a total of 28 housing units.

With the “death of the 710 extension,” the City has a unique opportunity to convert the properties into affordable housing, said City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe.

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“We have had considerable interest from the community in the purchase of Caltrans properties for affordable housing purposes,” DeWolfe said. “And while the City cannot directly purchase these properties, we are able partner with qualified non-profit groups to achieve the same outcomes.”

The Council action would authorize the City, under the auspices of the South Pasadena Housing Authority, to enter into an agreement with Heritage Housing Partners, New Prospect Housing, LLC, and New Economics for Women.

In September, the Council heard the results of a study examining potential options for Caltrans-owned properties. The City contracted with Heritage Housing Partners to study the affordable housing potential of Caltrans surplus properties. The report recommended that the City partner with qualified non-profit entities to pursue the acquisition of the Caltrans properties as affordable housing.

The City Council meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2 in the Council Chambers, 1424 Mission St., South Pasadena. Please visit the
City’s web site to view the full agenda and staff reports.