Los Robles

In 2012, CHW will acquire and wholly rehabilitate this 37 year-old apartment complex, adding a third HUD Preservation project to our portfolio.  In 1996, CHW helped the residents of Los Robles purchase the property from the former owner in order to prevent it from converting from HUD-restricted affordable rents to market rate rents, likely resulting in the eviction of many residents from the property. HUD assisted in this purchase however did not provide Los Robles with any Section 8 vouchers and the financing permitted only minimal rehabilitation.

CHW will start this two phased rehabilitation in 2011 by increasing long-term sustainability with features such as energy star appliances, low-e (emissive) windows, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, and by adding water conservation mechanisms such as low flow plumbing fixtures and water-wise native/adapted landscaping.  Additionally, CHW will install a 125 KW photovoltaic (solar) electrical system funded with a grant received from competitive, MASH 2 program from the California Solar Initiative of the CA Public Utilities Commission. 

In 2012, CHW will upgrade all the apartments with new bathrooms, kitchens and windows; rebuild and expand the community building, newly sized to provide adequate space for CHWs’ award winning Learning Communities programs; create a new manager’s unit above the community center, which will increase the number affordable apartments from 75 to 76; add patios, barbeques, carports, bike racks; and dedicate 9,000 SF to an organic, community food garden. 

Like CHWs’ nationally awarded Turnagain Apartments in 2008 (see Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits Developments of Distinction 2010—Innovative HUD Finance), Los Robles is currently financed with HUD FHA 236 loan and a LIHPHRA Grant.  The new financing for Los Robles will include low income housing tax credits and tax-exempt bonds.

 Highlights:
• 77 one, two and three bedroom apartments
• Affordable to residents earning between 30% to 60% of Area Median Income
• A new 125 kW solar photovoltaic (solar) electrical system financed with a MASH 2 grant from the California Solar Initiative
• Close proximity to neighborhood amenities, including schools, transit and retail
• Designed by Joseph Simon & Associates, Architects and Planners
• Rehabilitation Start: September 2012 Completion: September 2013

Financing Sources:
• Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• Construction and Permanent Mortgages (tax exempt financing)
• Los Robles Community Housing Association – Seller Note
• NeighborWorks© Energy Upgrade Grant
• Energy Upgrade California Rebate Program

Location:
1475 Oak Drive
Vista, California