Senior housing demand is there

June Casagrande

It’s too early to create a waiting list, but the list to get on a

waiting list is already about 90 names long.

Even in its most preliminary stages, plans to build a 150-unit

affordable housing complex for seniors has brought an avalanche of

interest from prospective tenants.

“Yes, there have definitely been a lot of calls,” said Celeste

Jardine-Haug, director of the OASIS Senior Center. “But there has

been a lot of interest for a long time. We’ve been trying to get

affordable housing for seniors in Newport for years.”

Reportedly, developer Related Co. has gotten so many premature

calls that they have compiled a list about 90 names long of people

who want in. But early birds won’t fare any better than latecomers.

In the end, a lottery system will decide which of the qualified

applicants get to move in.

The demand reflects a problem that Newport Beach officials have

long decried: a serious shortage of low-income housing in the city.

Newport needs to add 254 units of affordable and market-rate housing.

Though there is no state enforcement of the rule, the city could be

vulnerable to lawsuits for not having the state’s approval of its

housing element.

The senior affordable housing project is expected to remedy a

portion of the shortage, when and if it gets built at Lower Bayview

Landing, which is southwest of the intersection of Jamboree Road and

Back Bay Drive.

Some obstacles must be cleared first.

At a Planning Commission study session on Thursday, there were

concerns that the project would have enough parking. Some were also

concerned that the project might obstruct some views. City staff are

now looking at ways to assure that the project meets these neighbors’

concerns.

“We’ll be providing more information on this at a public hearing

on Feb. 20,” Assistant City Manager Sharon Wood said.

The developer has requested $1 million of in-lieu fees that the

city collects from developers to provide affordable housing. As the

project moves closer to completion, company and city officials will

announce to prospective tenants how to apply.

Related Cos. project manager Gino Canori said the project must

break ground before the end of the year to avoid the increased costs

of state wage laws that will soon kick in. Once the company breaks

ground, construction is expected to take about a year.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].