Habitat for Humanity closes Stewart financing; Edison poles cloud Torch townhome timeline

Habitat for Humanity told the Baldwin Park City Council on April 16 that it has closed construction financing for the Stewart project and aims to begin building within one to two weeks, while the nearby Torch Street project remains delayed by a dispute over Edison utility poles on Marlinda Street.

The two developments together would create 28 affordable, for‑sale homes in Baldwin Park: a 15‑unit Stewart project that will adapt the existing Baldwin Park Presbyterian Church and add four new townhome units, and a 13‑unit Torch project of attached townhome‑style units. Grant Powerhead, speaking for Habitat for Humanity, said the organization and city staff have worked through “different steps” and that “we believe that we’re at an inflection point and that both of these projects are going to move forward more quickly after this evening.”

The projects’ goal and why they matter: Habitat said all 28 homes will be sold to low‑income buyers under its typical affordability structure—buyers pay about 30% of income for housing costs and Habitat covers the remainder—and the homes will include long‑term affordability restrictions. Brian Wong, Habitat’s CEO, described the preservation requirement as a 55‑year affordability covenant and said Habitat retains a right of first refusal so units remain affordable over time.

Stewart details and schedule: The Stewart site at 4428 Stewart, at the corner of Los Angeles Street, will convert most of the existing church structure into 11 units and add four new two‑story townhomes, all with ground‑floor accessibility and private open space. Habitat said construction financing has been approved and closed, building permits are ready pending a few public‑works conditions and a review by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, and construction aims to finish in under 20 months to allow sales to low‑income buyers in early 2027.

Torch details and pole issue: Habitat said Torch’s current design calls for 13 attached townhomes, primarily three‑bedroom units with private and shared open space, parking that exceeds city requirements and an architectural expression intended to match regional craftsman elements. The project team told council that two Edison poles sit in the Marlinda Street right‑of‑way just outside the project boundary and could conflict with a proposed street widening. Southern California Edison initially told the developer it was not technically feasible to move the poles without extensive work on adjacent lines. City public‑works staff are preparing a determination letter that Habitat expects in about two to three weeks; Habitat said it plans to resubmit the Torch design for plan check in September in anticipation of finding a solution.

Potential budget impact and alternatives: Habitat told council that if relocation costs fall to the developer, the organization would revisit its budget and possibly reconfigure or reduce unit counts to absorb the expense. Council members and Habitat discussed alternatives, including aesthetic mitigation at the poles (landscaping or screening) and investigating a utility undergrounding funding program the city has used previously. Council members urged that aesthetic concerns not delay or reduce the number of affordable units, with several saying the city should prioritize preserving housing capacity.

Selection, affordability and homeowner obligations: Habitat said it will use a randomized application lottery (not first‑come, first‑served) for eligible buyers, and that buyers will be required to meet income limits; Habitat staff said subsidies and program rules will keep monthly housing costs near 30% of household income. Habitat explained that homeowners are responsible for normal maintenance, insurance and any homeowners association fees; Habitat said principal paid on mortgages accrues to the homeowner, and resale is limited by the affordability covenant and the organization’s repurchase rights.

Council requests and next steps: Council members asked for periodic updates from city staff—suggesting six‑ to nine‑month status reports—and for Habitat to post project timelines and completed work on its website so residents can track progress. Habitat representatives offered to provide site tours and to return with further updates; city public works will issue a determination on the Edison pole relocation within weeks, and Habitat plans to proceed with the Stewart permits once outstanding conditions are satisfied.

The presentation included staff and design details, and no formal council votes occurred during the discussion.