Mercy Housing to seek city loan

Affordable housing for HIV and AIDS patients is close to breaking ground in West Anaheim. Mercy Housing of California's request to build 23 apartment units at 2761. W. Ball Road passed the Planning Commission unanimously on May 20 and next heads to the City Council. Mercy officials say they plan to ask the council for a $345,000 loan approximately $15,000 per unit to foot the construction bill. Mercy will make its reque"We're hoping this is our final hurdle on our way to getting tax credits," said Dara Kovel, Mercy regional director. She added that city officials have so far reacted positively to their request. Councilwoman Lucille Kring said that although she has not yet seen the final proposal, it seemed like an important project to be included in Anaheim. But, she said she would have to wait and see how it serves the community. "The quality of the management will determine the quality of the product," she said. West Anaheim activists, who typically oppose new apartments at their end of town, wholeheartedly support this proposal. "Our land use people were all completely in favor of it because it's a necessary item," said Esther Wallace, chairwoman of the West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council. "We feel in our community we should have a balance among the different types of housing." Kovel said the need for such affordable housing in Anaheim is evident. The organization has already received more than 100 requests for the 22 studio apartments. The 23rd apartment is a two-bedroom unit for the manager. "Market-driven housing isn't building housing for people at those income levels," Kovel said. Qualified residents would earn half the median income of the area, as determined by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Some of the services provided to future residents would include transportation assistance, job training and placement or counseling. The organization purchased the property on West Ball Road last June and began the planning stages of the project, including gathering community input. Kovel said they first went to WAND because of its influential role on development in West Anaheim. "There was a clear recognition that this is a disease that doesn't discriminate," she said. The project borders Dale Junior High School on its north end, apartments on the east and west, and faces Ball Road to the south. Mercy started construction on a senior housing complex at 2240 W. Lincoln Ave., also in West Anaheim, in February. Officials expect to complete the 81-unit Linbrook Court development in March 2003. The nonprofit organization has provided affordable housing in the state and nationwide for HIV/AIDS patients, the elderly and disabled populations families.