Buena Park, Calif. – National CORE welcomed residents, partners and elected officials on March 12 to celebrate the grand opening of Orchard View Gardens, a stunning new affordable housing community for seniors ages 62 and better in Buena Park.
Orchard View Gardens, which marks the second collaboration between National CORE and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, provides 66 apartments for residents who earn less than 60% of the area median income. Thirteen apartments are reserved for seniors who have experienced homelessness.
The community was built on the St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church campus in Buena Park, turning underutilized land into housing to help combat the nation’s housing crisis. National CORE and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles previously teamed up to develop Santa Angelina, which provides 65 apartment homes to low-income seniors on church-owned land in Placentia.
“Orchard View Gardens represents a generational commitment to the foundational work of the church in Southern California,” said The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. “Thanks to the welcoming spirit of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, the visionary work of National CORE and the indispensable support of our partners at Episcopal Communities & Services, a whole new community of our neighbors will have a place to lay their heads for years to come.”
Doug Chaffee, chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and 4th district supervisor, said Orchard View Gardens fills a critical need for affordable housing and support services.
“The opening of Orchard View Gardens in Buena Park is one example of how our cities, county and partners are working together to ensure there is affordable housing that reflects the needs of our older adult population,” Chaffee said. “Orchard View Gardens provides onsite supportive services to help residents stay housed and provides ample amenities for independent living.”
The church collaboration allowed National CORE to create senior housing in a resource-rich area of Buena Park. Orchard View Gardens is within walking distance of retail stores, local restaurants, pharmacies and two parks.
National CORE Chief Development Officer Alexa Washburn said she is proud of the collaboration between National CORE and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
“Orchard View Gardens is yet another amazing community that will protect seniors, who are quickly becoming our most vulnerable homeless population,” Washburn said. “Orchard View Gardens is proof that hard work and cooperation can be powerful tools in the fight against homelessness.”
The Hope through Housing Foundation provides additional supportive services – from programs and events focused on employment, social connectedness and health and wellness as well as connections to outside resources to break the cycle of generational poverty.
The Rev. Cindy Voien, Rector of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, said Orchard View Gardens fulfills a grand dream.
“We rejoice to be working with National CORE, Episcopal Communities and Services, the City of Buena Park, the County of Orange, and the State of California in making 66 affordable apartments available to our senior community,” Voien said.
This development was funded in part through the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Special Needs Housing Program, the City of Buena Park and Orange County Community Services.
The Rev. Michael Bell, Director of Housing & Business Development for Episcopal Communities & Services, said the development is part of the church’s ongoing pledge to provide hope and love to the community through affordable housing.
“People aged 50 and older are the fastest-growing group of our neighbors at-risk-of housing insecurity or already experiencing homelessness,” Bell said. “We all benefit from collaboration with mission-aligned housing developers like National CORE who graciously navigate the complex, heavy-lifting of financing and development, manifesting exemplary affordable housing communities like this one that will benefit our neighbors for generations.”
National CORE and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles have another collaboration in the works, a senior community at St. Ambrose Church in Claremont.
“Orchard View Gardens reflects Buena Park’s commitment to creating housing solutions that meet our community’s needs while fostering a sense of belonging and well-being,” Buena Park Mayor Joyce Ahn said. “This opening marks an important step in addressing housing opportunities, contributing to the long-term growth of Buena Park, and providing a place where connections will be made, memories cherished, and the community will flourish.”
Hope through Housing Executive Director Alyssa Cotter said Orchard View Gardens will be a haven, where residents can build lasting connections.
“Orchard View Gardens represents a commitment to the senior community of Buena Park, that they will not only have access to affordable housing: they’ll also have access to support programs that will make sure they can prosper,” Cotter said.
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