Collaborating with faith-based organizations on affordable housing developments has proven to be invaluable when earning public support, revitalizing communities and helping at-risk populations, National CORE’s Chief Development Officer Alexa Washburn shared during the May 8 Building Faith in Housing workshop.
Hosted at National CORE’s Santa Angelina senior affordable housing community in Placentia and organized by the Orange County Housing Finance Trust and CalOptima Health, the workshop brought together industry leaders to discuss Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) – which streamlines the process for religious institutions and nonprofit colleges to develop affordable housing on their property.
Washburn led a panel of financial experts, religious leaders and elected officials in an exploration of National CORE’s innovative approach to creating affordable housing communities in collaboration with faith-based organizations. She said the company’s experience shows that church support reaches far beyond land use – embracing construction supervision and providing residents with food, bedding and other necessities long after the development is operational.
“National CORE has completed five successful affordable housing communities in collaboration with faith-based organizations, and we have several more in our pipeline,” Washburn said. “I believe these communities have been well-received because National CORE’s mission aligns with these faith-based organizations to serve those who are most vulnerable.”
CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunn said partnering with National CORE on Santa Angelina has been a heartwarming experience – knowing that so many seniors, more than half of whom are CalOptima Health members, are enjoying safe, comfortable and affordable homes.
Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair and District 5 Supervisor Katrina Foley said SB 4 streamlines affordable housing pathways for the benefit of Orange County’s unhoused population as well as the people who keep communities safe, healthy and thriving – including teachers, nurses, deputies and health care workers.
“The Trust’s workshop showcased successful housing developments, built in collaboration between organizations such as National CORE with various faith-based institutions,” Foley said. “Senate Bill 4 allows our faith-based communities to cut through unnecessary red tape and quickly adapt their surplus land into affordable housing. I am excited to work with parishes, temples, mosques and more to bring stable, clean and safe housing to families across Orange County.”
Attendees toured Santa Angelina, which provides 65 apartment homes to seniors, ages 62 and better, who earn below 60% of the area median income. The community is on the campus of the Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament. As part of the collaboration, National CORE built a parish hall and replaced the roof of the sanctuary.
“National CORE’s expertise, scale and capabilities allow them to adapt to the challenges that inevitably come up during any development,” said The Rev. Michael Bell, director of housing & business development for Episcopal Communities & Services. “We have been grateful to have a mission-aligned capable partner who can do a lot of the heavy lifting to help bring to life this ministry’s vision for the benefit of our neighbors.”
Bell noted that following the opening of Santa Angelina and the church renovations, the Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament’s congregation grew by several members.
Washburn said that National CORE has pursued faith-based collaborations since 2013. The company’s first church collaboration – with the Santa Ana United Methodist Church – led to the creation of the award-winning Legacy Square affordable housing community in 2023.
SB 4 took effect Jan. 1, 2024, inspired by developments like those pursued by National CORE.
National CORE also worked with Nestor United Methodist Church in San Diego to create Nestor Senior Village, with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to create Vista de La Sierra in Riverside and with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles to create not only Santa Angelina but Orchard View Gardens in Buena Park. Altogether, the developments have added 378 affordable homes.
National CORE is also beginning development of up to 59 apartments for St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Claremont.
Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento gave a keynote speech at the workshop, outlining the dire need for partnering with faith-based organizations to build affordable housing in the years to come.
“National CORE and all affordable developments are extremely valuable – the need is heightened, knowing that the federal government is starting to cut back on HUD vouchers and support for developments for senior housing, the disabled and low-income individuals,” Sarmiento said. “I’m so inspired by seeing the completed Santa Angelina development, and I want to thank National CORE and everybody interested in the opportunities that SB 4 provides.”
Also present at the event were representatives from Jamboree Housing Corporation, Mercy Housing and the faith-based organizations they worked with to develop affordable housing.
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