Tustin council approves Families Forward 8‑unit affordable housing project at 1852 San Juan Street

TUSTIN, Calif. — The Tustin City Council on May 6 unanimously approved a design review and associated density bonus request for Families Forward to build an eight‑unit, three‑story affordable rental building at 1852 San Juan Street.

Assistant Planner Jose Hara told the council the project requests four waivers and two concessions under state density bonus law, including increasing front‑yard hardscape to 69 percent, reducing driveway queuing depth to 5 feet, cutting required parking from 18 spaces to 8 (all uncovered), reducing the rear yard setback to 5 feet, allowing a 40‑foot three‑story building where the code limits 35 feet/two stories, and permitting overhead utilities in lieu of undergrounding.

Nishtha Mohendra, chief program officer for Families Forward, described the nonprofit’s mission “founded in preventing and ending family homelessness in Orange County” and detailed supportive services the organization provides, including housing navigation, case management, job coaching and an on‑site community market. Mohendra said Families Forward leverages a $2,000,000 grant from the city’s inclusionary housing fee fund, $2,500,000 from CalOptima and $750,000 from the Families Forward board to support the project.

Council members asked about neighbor outreach, tenant selection and timing. Mohendra said the applicant met with adjacent neighbors and the church to the west, is coordinating with county outreach networks and will offer a Tustin‑resident preference consistent with fair‑housing law. On construction timing, Mohendra corrected an earlier estimate: "It's actually 42 weeks" of construction anticipated from demolition to occupancy.

Planning staff noted the Planning Commission reviewed the project March 25 and recommended approval (Planning Commission Resolution No. 4522). City staff recommended adoption of Resolution No. 25‑28 to approve the design review and density bonus, and the council voted 5–0 in favor.

The applicant said, if schedules hold, Families Forward expects to begin moving families into the building in early 2026.

The council’s action authorizes the project to proceed to plan check and construction permitting; the project still must complete building permit reviews and meet conditions of approval before ground‑breaking.