Oak Park Redevelopment Phase 3 Underway

Completed Project to Provide 301 Affordable Housing Units

Construction has begun on Phase 3 of the Oak Park Redevelopment, which will incorporate 76 new affordable apartment units with a targeted completion date of March 2019.
Looking back, the Paso Robles Housing Authority celebrated the initial Oak Park Project Ground Breaking on February 12, 2013. “We held a rather unusual ground breaking on this spot with a giant excavator tearing down one of the 148 deteriorated public housing units constructed in 1942 to serve the enlisted men, women, and families of Camp Roberts during WWII,” said Paso Robles Housing Authority Executive Director David Cooke. “When Oak Park is completed, a total of 301 affordable housing units will be constructed in four Phases replacing the original dilapidated units on the approximately 25-acre site.”

Phase 1 of 80 units and Phase 2 with 70 units, including a manager’s unit, have since been completed and are fully rented with a waiting list of over 400 applicants. “We recently secured financing and have begun construction for Phase 3, incorporating 76 units,” said Cooke. “The targeted completion date is March of 2019 and we will begin accepting applications in December of this year.”
Phase 4, with the remaining 75 units is in the approval process. “We recently submitted applications for tax credit allocation and hope for approval in June of this year, and if all goes as expected, we will break ground in December of 2018.” A March of 2020 completion date for Phase 4 is anticipated.
“Why Oak Park?” said Cooke. “Housing matters … this is a huge difference for these families, especially the children who can be proud of their home. We’re especially proud of this effort. We are changing the neighborhood and live, what a transformation!”
The apartment homes for all four phases are comprised of one, two, three, and four bedroom units (due to an unforeseen need, a redesign was undertaken and more one bedroom units are now planned for Phase 4).
Square footages range from approximately 679 sq. ft. to 1,530 sq. ft. All first-floor units will be fully accessible and adaptable for those individuals requiring adjustments in their units for ADA accessibility. Unit amenities include Energy Star® rated refrigerators and dishwashers, low-flow toilets, exhaust fans, sink disposals, ranges with ovens, generous counter, cabinet and storage space, solar powered energy, central air, blinds, carpet, walk-in closets, patio/balcony, and washer/dryer hookups.
The target population primarily consists of residents from the City of Paso Robles and north San Luis Obispo County who are income qualified.  One-hundred percent of the units will be rent restricted to individuals and families with incomes ranging from 30% to 60% of the County area median income.
Phase 2 included an approximate 6,200 square foot resident center including Paso Robles Housing Authority’s office in addition to a large soccer size recreational play area, basketball court, open space with a network of walkways, barbecue/picnic areas and a tot lot for the residents. The resident center includes a community/meeting room, a kitchen, and restroom facilities.
Phases 3 and 4 plans to include a separate Community Center as well as a multi-sports court for volleyball, pickleball, and other activities.
Additionally, the Housing Authority sponsors onsite children programs, including its own YouthWorks Program, plus other onsite residents services.​​
“The City of Paso Robles has really been behind this project,” stated Cooke. “They provided deferred loans for up to 30 years, to be repaid through cash flow by deferring certain impact fees.”
Central California Housing Corporation (CCHC), which is a dba of Affordable Housing Development Corporation, will be the co-developer of Phases 3 and 4 with the Paso Robles Housing Authority (PHRA) and Affordable Housing Paso Robles (AHPR), a 501(c)(3) and affiliate of PRHA. CCHC has vast experience in the development of affordable housing communities throughout the State of California. CCHC developed and currently owns and operates 40 projects in 20 cities, which provide between 38 and 313 housing units per project totaling 3,965 residences.
The primary sources of financing will be in in Low Income Housing Tax Credits through the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
Local companies North Coast Engineering (NCE) designed, and Dave Spurr Co. installed, the award winning pervious concrete street at the back of Oak Park 1 and 2 that will extend through Phase 3 and 4 when completed. This is the longest contiguous street of its kind in the County. Pervious concrete is a special type of concrete with a high porosity used for concrete flatwork and street applications that allows water from precipitation and other sources to pass directly through, thereby reducing the runoff from a site.

For information regarding Oak Park,
go to the Housing Authority website:
pasoroblesha.org
or call 805-238-4015.