Developer and Church Team to Create Housing for Families

An underutilized church-owned parcel has become home to vulnerable families in Santa Ana, California.

Developed by National CORE, the 93-unit Legacy Square brings new affordable housing to downtown, including 33 apartments for residents who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The development was made possible through a ground lease with the Santa Ana United Methodist Church, which consolidated its ministry on another campus and wanted to redevelop its downtown site into a new community purpose.

Legacy Square features 30 one-, 39 two-, and 23 three-bedroom homes for residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, a manager’s unit and ground-level flexible space for community organizations. A 3,800-square-foot community center serves as a neighborhood hub for events, activities, and services provided by the Hope through Housing Foundation and Mercy House.

“It’s a great model of how a church can redevelop underutilized land and continue to serve its community through an expanded mission, and that’s affordable housing,” says Alexa Washburn, chief development officer at National CORE.

Beyond the new homes, she says, Legacy Square’s cross-sector of partners have transformed the neighborhood by spurring major transit improvements, bike lanes, safe routes to schools, and the creation of a new park.

The $49.7 million development has earned a LEED for Homes Platinum certification for its energy-efficient design.
The all-electric development includes cutoffs for excessive water use that prevents water waste and generates electricity through rooftop solar panels. A bike repair program, free bus passes, and its location next to transit make the community one of Orange County’s first real transit-oriented developments.