Construction Starts on New Over-55 Community for Homeless and Mentally Ill At NoHo, North Hollywood

May 5, 2011 - PRLog -- Construction started  this month on a 49-unit multi-family residence for low-income persons 55 or older in the CRA Redevelopment Project area in North Hollywood.

Developed by Clifford Beers Housing (CBH) and PATH Ventures, NoHo Senior Villas will also be served by the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, which will provide services to the mentally ill and formerly homeless residents.

Jim Bonar, executive director of CBH, the co-developer and managing general partner, said co-developer PATH Ventures will be in charge of providing supportive services.

Designed  by Killefer Flammang Architects, the five-story building is conceived to provide a tranquil environment in both exterior and interior elements, noted  architect Wade Killefer, whose firm has designed more than 4,000 units of special needs housing.

“Special efforts were made to create maximum recreation and outdoor facilities, which include a large shaded courtyard with a covered walkway, a landscaped  roof deck, a roof garden  and a substantial landscaped area with a 30-foot setback from the street,” added project architect John Arnold.

Inside, the design focused on elements that would help seniors feel at home and also aid them in wayfinding and orientation, explained Arnold. Color schemes were developed to differentiate floors, units and building elements.

Articulated massing and fenestration were also used to create a sense of uniqueness for each unit, he said. “And to encourage physical activity and interaction among the residents, the design provided convenient stairways, covered walkways and diverse community spaces,” the architect noted.

The one bedroom units average 525-square-foot, and each unit has a kitchen and bathroom, noted Jesus Hernandez, PATH’S project manager.

Financing for the project comes from four percent tax credits; tax exempt bonds for the construction loan; a Mental Health Services Act loan (administered by the L.A. Department of Mental Health and California Housing Finance Agency); a Governor’s Homeless Initiative loan, administered by the Housing and Community Development agency; and an Affordable Housing Program loan administered by the San Francisco Federal Home Loan Bank

“The CRA played a major role in setting guidelines for this project to assure compatibility with the existing other projects in the community.” said Arnold.

In development for some 20 years, the 743-acre NoHo project has emerged as vibrant mixed use, TOD project next to the North Hollywood Metro station. Located adjacent to Lankershim Boulevard and the adjoining arts district., the project now has  319,000 square feet of commercial and retail  facilities as well as a large mix of market-rate and affordable housing.

Clifford Beers Housing is an affiliate of Mental Health America (MHA) and functions in three capacities: land development and general partner with MHA; lead developer and general partner with other community- based supportive  service  providers; and joint venture partnerships with other affordable housing developers and community-based groups.

PATH Ventures builds permanent supportive housing for low-income and homeless people. It also leases apartment units from independent and then sublets these units to clients, who pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

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