Garden Grove City Council approves senior housing development at St. Anselm's Church

The Garden Grove City Council convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss a significant joint action item concerning the approval of a preliminary award letter for a new affordable housing project. This initiative involves collaboration between the City of Garden Grove, the Garden Grove Housing Authority, Domus Development LLC, and Korean Community Services, Inc.

Timothy Throne presented the details of the proposal, which aims to construct an 81-unit senior affordable housing development at St. Anselm's Episcopal Church. The project is designed to provide essential housing for seniors, including 21 units specifically for chronically homeless seniors and 59 units for income-qualified seniors. The development will also feature a manager's unit, with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

The project is strategically located at 9473 Larson Avenue in Garden Grove's Koreatown, close to transit services and community amenities, making it an ideal site for senior housing. The development will encompass 63,750 square feet of residential space, alongside 5,000 square feet dedicated to community areas, including a health and wellness clinic, and 13,000 square feet of open space.

To support the financing of this project, the city and the Garden Grove Housing Authority are recommending a commitment of up to $2 million in permanent local housing allocation funds and 21 project-based vouchers. This funding is contingent upon meeting specific milestones, including subsidy layering and environmental reviews.

The project is part of a broader effort to address homelessness and expand affordable housing options for seniors in the region. It aligns with local and regional priorities, ensuring long-term affordability through a 55-year covenant. The developer plans to leverage this local commitment to apply for additional state funding, including $16.9 million through the 2025 Housing and Community Development (HCD) housing super Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

The council's discussions highlighted the importance of this project in providing vital resources for the aging population and addressing the ongoing challenges of homelessness in the community. The next steps will involve finalizing the funding commitments and moving forward with the necessary approvals to begin construction.