SANTA ANA, CA—Ground work has begun for the Depot at Santiago, a transit-oriented, workforce housing development being built by C&C Development and Orange Housing Development Corporation in partnership with the City of Santa Ana. Developers say the project will create a new community resource and activity center for surrounding neighborhoods and families.

The 70-unit Depot at Santiago will be located across the street from the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and on the proposed OC Streetcar line.

Being developed on a 1.35-acre urban infill site across the street from the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and on the proposed OC Streetcar line, the 70-unit Depot at Santiago is designed for working families with incomes ranging from 30% to 60% of area median income (AMI). With funding provided by the Mental Health Services Act administered by the County of Orange, the Depot will provide housing for families and individuals who have special needs as well people living with disabilities.

Consisting of two urban-styled, multifamily buildings at the intersection of Santa Ana Boulevard and Santiago Avenue, the Depot at Santiago is a mixed-use development that includes approximately 8,500 square feet of ground-level retail space. The retail building will open onto a large, vibrant outdoor plaza at the intersection for social gatherings, community events and the display of public art. The residential component includes 14 one-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom, and 27 three-bedroom apartments. It also features a 3,000 square-foot community room, abundant open space, barbecue pavilion, and a demonstration kitchen to promote a healthy cooking and diet.

“Even though there is a significant shortage of affordable housing in Orange County and Southern California, C&C Development and Orange Housing Development have always stepped up to build quality affordable housing such as the Depot at Santiago for our Santa Ana residents,” said Santa Ana councilmember Michele Martinez. “Providing sufficient affordable housing has always been a priority of our city and public/private partnerships with builders such as C&C and Orange Housing have been key to fulfilling our housing goal.”

Also speaking at a recent groundbreaking ceremony, councilmember David Benavides said that quality workforce housing as represented by the Depot at Santiago is critical to providing an environment for families to have access to beneficial community services such as public transit and to lead a dignified family life.

“The City of Santa Ana is doing its part in providing new housing for all of its residents, both affordable and market-rate,” he said. “C&C Development and Orange Housing Development have been long-time partners with our city in achieving that mission.”

Todd Cottle, principal of C&C Development, said that with its location in the Santa Ana Transit Zoning Code district, the Depot at Santiago will be a catalyst for future urban development opportunities in the surrounding vicinity by paving the way for additional housing and new retail outlets within an area that has been historically underserved. Additionally, the Depot's sustainable footprint will benefit both the residents who live in the property and the surrounding community with convenient access to public transportation that helps reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, Cottle noted. The Depot is designed to achieve a LEED Gold Certification and will exceed California's Title 24 energy efficiency standards by at least 10 percent.

The Depot at Santiago will also be a social, educational, health and cultural hub for the adjacent neighborhoods through the developers' partnership with The Wooden Floor, a non-profit organization that gives underserved youth the tools and knowledge to live fuller, healthier lives through a unique lifestyle approach based on the dynamics of dance.

With its partnership with C&C Development and Orange Housing, the 33-year-old nonprofit will open an annex next year as part of Depot at Santiago that will allow it to serve an additional 100 students and their families, according to Dawn Reese, The Wooden Floor's Executive Director and Co-CEO. This is in addition to the 375 youths already enrolled in The Wooden Floor's year-round programs at its current campus in Santa Ana's Museum District.

The Depot at Santiago is the only residential project in Orange County that was selected by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for its 2016 SCAG Sustainability Award for Achievement in Integrated Land Use and Transportation. A key part of the Depot's financing package, the $3.9-million award made the Depot one of the highest ranked “shovel ready” projects in the state to receive the funding. The Depot at Santiago financing also includes the City of Santa Ana's HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, County of Orange Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds, and Neighborhood Stabilization funds through the City of Santa Ana, which also provided Section 8 housing vouchers. Additionally, the financing consists of low income housing tax credit funding from the California Tax Allocation Committee, and an investment by the National Equity Fund. Financing also includes State of California Infill Infrastructure Grant Program funding, as well as financing provided by the California Community Reinvestment Corporation and Bank of America.

With more than 30 years of experience, Tustin–based C&C Development is a full-service real estate development company specializing in the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and management of affordable housing for working families and seniors. Orange Housing Development Corporation (OHDC), headquartered in Orange, CA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing secure, quality and attractive housing for people of low and moderate incomes.

Steady gains in the US economy have resulted in net positives for the multifamily sector—will this wave continue for the foreseeable future? What's driving development and capital flows? Join us at RealShare Apartments on October 19 & 20 for impactful information from the leaders in the National multifamily space. Learn more.

Instant Insights /

Earth Moves on Santa Ana Transit Res Project

Related Stories

Recommended For You