Anaheim, California: Adaptive Reuse of Motel Provides Permanent Supportive Housing

August 31, 2023  

Anaheim, California: Adaptive Reuse of Motel Provides Permanent Supportive Housing

HUD User publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state, and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities and support sustainable community development. The projects and community development efforts featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives.

With more than 1,000 people experiencing homelessness reported in 2021, the city of Anaheim has the largest homeless population in Orange County, California. The city has launched several initiatives to address the crisis, including a collaboration with nonprofit developer Jamboree, which resulted in the passage of an ordinance streamlining the conversion of motels to permanent supportive housing for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The 2019 ordinance helped the city and Jamboree to transform an Econo Lodge motel into Buena Esperanza, a 69-unit permanent supportive housing project primarily serving veterans and people living with mental illness. The project demonstrates the feasibility of motel conversions and contributes to Orange County’s commitment to create 2,700 supportive housing units.

Visit HUD User’s Case Studies page to learn more about affordable housing and to view other innovative community revitalization strategies.

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