Adams Terrace Welcomes 84 Formerly Homeless and Low-Income Seniors to Their New Homes in West Adams
Affordable nonprofit developer Abode Communities opens doors of vibrant residential community Adams Terrace
LOS ANGELES, CA—Nonprofit affordable housing developer Abode Communities and the West Adams community celebrate the homecoming of 84 seniors to Adams Terrace, an affordable and supportive housing community.
“By preventing senior homelessness and bringing unhoused seniors home, affordable homes like Adams Terrace save lives,” said Holly Benson, President & CEO of Abode Communities. “This senior community joins right in with the vibrancy of the West Adams neighborhood and makes it even stronger, healthier and more joyful. If we don’t build supportive housing for seniors, we will see a Los Angeles where the number of unhoused seniors continues to grow, burdened by fixed incomes and medical expenses. Supportive housing truly is our best move.”
Adams Terrace is a scattered-site community replacing two vacant lots with two amenity-rich residential communities. With a total of 84 affordable and supportive homes, the development offers a rooftop lounge, landscaped courtyards, resident terraces, bicycle parking, community centers, onsite property management, and onsite supportive services. Abode Communities’ partnership with St. Joseph Center allows for trauma-informed and life saving supportive services.
“The stability of home also translates to improved health for older adults. Inadequate housing exacerbates both mental and physical health problems which lead to disruptions in nutrition, sleep, and medication management,” said LaTonya Smith, Chief Program Officer at St. Joseph Center. “Having supportive services and their own home with a door that locks increases people’s sense of safety while providing a warm and stable environment to rebuild life and thrive.”
According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 75% of seniors in rental units are rent-burdened, meaning over 50% of their income goes towards housing costs before medical expenses and other living expenses are taken into account. This staggering number is a direct correlation to the rise in senior homelessness we are seeing.
“Before moving to Adams Terrace, I was living in an environment where I didn’t feel safe. People didn’t follow the rules, it was noisy and I had to constantly keep my guard up,” said Adams
Terrace Resident Mary Green. “Since moving to Adams Terrace I’ve found my peace. I’m able to heal. I’m writing a lot of poetry and reflecting on the different stages of my life. Now at 76 years old, finally in my own home, I just feel peace.”
City of Los Angeles HHH funds financed approximately 16% of the overall costs for Adams Terrace. Across Los Angeles, the voter-approved bond program will directly finance around 3,500 new homes in 2023 alone.
“Adams Terrace is another example of LA’s Prop HHH in motion,” said Ann Sewill, General Manager, Los Angeles Housing Department. “We don’t have the choice to turn our heads on housing, especially for seniors who live on fixed incomes and are experiencing homelessness. Permanent housing is truly our best move as a City and we’re excited that 84 seniors now have the foundation needed to age in place with dignity.”
Additional financing includes Federal and State Low Income Tax Credit Equity in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners, a construction loan from U.S. Bank, permanent financing provided by California Community Reinvestment Corporation, a residual receipts loan from Los Angeles County Development Authority, Project-Based Section 8 operating subsidy from Housing AUthority of the City of Los Angeles, and Multifamily Housing Program from California State Department of Housing & Community Development.
