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Paso Robles Housing Authority highlights Sunrise Villas move‑ins, new senior units and long wait lists
Summary
The Paso Robles Housing Authority updated the City Council on completed and near‑complete projects including Sunrise Villas (69 units) and Riverwalk Terrace (79 senior units), reported long wait lists and previewed four feasibility projects that could add about 300 units if pursued.
The Paso Robles Housing Authority told the City Council on March 18 that Sunrise Villas opened this year and 69 families have moved into the new apartments, and that Riverwalk Terrace — 79 mostly one‑bedroom units for seniors — will finish construction in a few weeks.
The update, given by Lonnie Willie of the housing authority, said Sunrise Villas was the first completed portion of the Olson‑Chandler Ranch master plan affordable housing component and that the authority’s nonprofit arm can access additional funding for projects. “It was truly a pleasure to have so many of you with us this afternoon to welcome our 69 families home to their new apartments,” Willie said.
The nut graf: the authority said housing demand in Paso Robles remains far higher than supply. Willie told the council the authority already has a wait list of about 1,000 people for its properties and that Oak Park — a long‑running redevelopment that has 341 apartments after prior phases — remains fully leased. The authority said it is pursuing four feasibility efforts that, if all proceed, would produce roughly 300 additional units and that its goal is to have one project enter construction each year.
In the presentation, Willie described services attached to the properties, including a twice‑monthly food bank (the most recent served more than 900 people), a mobile health clinic and a YouthWorks employment‑training program for teens. She told the council that many households in the area do not qualify for or do not receive federal housing subsidies; she said only about one in four eligible households actually receive that kind of public assistance.
Council members thanked the housing authority for the work and noted the demand figures. Mayor Hammond read a certificate of recognition from State Senator John Laird noting Sunrise Villas’ configuration of 69 rent‑restricted units with incomes restricted to 30–60% of area median income; that breakdown was read aloud at the meeting by city staff. Willie said Riverwalk Terrace will primarily serve seniors and that move‑ins there are planned next month.
Ending: The housing authority said it will continue updates and that staff will return to council as feasibility studies for additional projects progress. The authority asked for council input as it develops a strategic plan.
