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Mission Viejo OKs $530,000 CDBG transfer to buy two affordable units with Wise Place
Summary
The City Council approved using $530,000 in CDBG funds to help nonprofit Wise Place buy two condominiums to be affordable to very-low-income households for at least 35 years; Wise Place will contribute $355,000 and existing tenants will not be displaced.
Mission Viejo’s City Council voted unanimously April 14 to transfer $530,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the Housing Authority to help nonprofit Wise Place acquire two condominium units for very‑low‑income households.
The purchase agreement covers a one‑bedroom unit in the Las Palmas community and a two‑bedroom unit in the Valencia community. Cliff Jones, the city’s planning and economic development manager, told the council the city’s contribution combined with Wise Place’s $355,000 would produce an $885,000 acquisition to preserve the units as affordable for a minimum of 35 years, secured by recorded covenants.
Why it matters: Council members framed the purchase as part of Mission Viejo’s modest strategy to increase deeply affordable inventory and prevent displacement. “The existing tenants will not be displaced,” Councilmember Kelly said, noting initial occupancy will be the current residents and subsequent tenancies will follow HUD‑aligned income rules and a tenant‑selection plan that prioritizes Mission Viejo residents.
Wise Place CEO Retiel Agassi described her organization’s history and track record serving families and survivors of domestic violence in Orange County and said the group operates more than 50 affordable housing units countywide. “We have a very spelled‑out tenant selection plan that focuses on residents of the city of Mission Viejo, first and foremost, qualifying by HUD income standards,” Agassi said.
Councilmembers asked staff how this agreement related to past partnerships; the city responded the organization Families Forward did not submit a proposal to the RFP for this round. Councilmember Goodell described the program as a way to channel federal CDBG dollars to serve households at risk of homelessness in Mission Viejo.
Formal action: Councilmember Kelly moved the recommended action; the motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously to adopt the resolutions enabling the CDBG transfer and the related housing authority loan documents. The record shows the city will record a covenant preserving affordability for at least 35 years.
What’s next: Staff and Wise Place will complete required documentation and implement the tenant selection and management plan. The council did not specify a closing date in the meeting record.
