Affordable Housing Construction Begins, Finally, in Fullerton

Construction for affordable housing has started on a city-owned lot in Fullerton — six years after a previous housing proposal on the site for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness sparked intense controversy.

The backstory: In 2018, the local organization Pathways of Hope proposed building 60 to 80 units of permanent supportive housing — apartments with onsite social services — for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues at 1600 W. Commonwealth near downtown Fullerton. After failing to warm neighbors to the project, Pathways decided to pull it, citing lack of support from the community and the City Council.

The months-long drama was the subject of the first season of LAist Studios' Imperfect Paradise podcast, "Home is Life" and an accompanying LAist story.

Why now? After the initial project died, a new City Council entered into an agreement in 2021 with Meta Housing Corporation to build 65 units of affordable housing for families on the lot. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony for the development this week, although construction had already started.

The project faced much less public opposition this time around, city staff and developers told LAist. Local housing advocate Elizabeth Hansburg said she thinks that's largely because of the change in the target population, from single men and women experiencing chronic homelessness, to low-income families.

Project manager Allison Levy said the developer worked with neighbors to come up with a design "that didn't feel imposing to the community" and that met the needs of low-income families.

What's next? Construction is expected to take 18 months. Levy said Meta plans to hold workshops some six months before the apartments open to inform families on how to apply.