Pasadena, California, September 8, 2025
News Summary
The Pasadena City Council will consider an amended development and 99‑year lease for Ramona Senior Housing, a proposed five‑story, 100‑unit affordable building at 280 Ramona St. The $83.1 million project would provide 99 units for low‑income seniors and one manager unit. The Council is asked to recognize $5 million in State Local Housing Trust Fund support and account for roughly $19.24 million in city support (including a ground lease value and state construction loans). The project was previously CEQA in‑fill exempt; design approval is complete and the developer is seeking additional financing to close a reported funding gap.
Pasadena City Council to Vote on Amended Lease and $5M State Funding for 100‑Unit Senior Housing at 280 Ramona St.
What’s happening now: The Pasadena City Council will vote on key business terms of an amended development and lease agreement for a five‑story, 100‑unit senior affordable housing project at 280 Ramona St. The project, identified as Ramona Senior Housing, carries an estimated total cost of $83.1 million. Council action would also amend the Housing Department’s FY2026 operating budget to recognize $5 million in State Local Housing Trust Fund dollars tied to the project.
Top-line details
The development would provide 99 units for low‑income seniors and one unit set aside for a resident manager. Some units would be reserved specifically for seniors experiencing homelessness. The design includes a community room, a courtyard, and on‑site management offices. The building was approved by the city’s Design Commission in 2024.
The project proposes no on‑site parking. Instead, plans call for a covered loading zone and a dedicated paratransit pickup area along Ramona Street. The developer would lease city‑owned property for 99 years at $1 per year and operate under a regulatory agreement that ensures long‑term affordability for the same 99‑year term. The project would be subject to Pasadena’s minimum wage and local hiring rules.
Funding picture
City support totals roughly $19.24 million, which is presented as a combination of a $14.49 million ground lease value plus $4.75 million in construction loans from the State Local Housing Trust Fund. Of the $5 million state allocation, $4.75 million is for construction loans and $250,000 is for administrative support. Other identified funding includes $2.76 million from the federal HOME program and $8.19 million in loans from Los Angeles County’s No Place Like Home program, which will also provide rental vouchers for 48 units.
The developer has applied for state Multifamily Finance funds, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and support from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The developer estimates a funding gap of nearly $50.7 million that must be closed for project completion.
Regulatory and environmental notes
City officials describe the budget and lease amendments as administrative actions not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The development itself was previously found exempt under the CEQA in‑fill housing category. The Council vote would also authorize the city manager to approve no‑cost amendments, including time extensions related to the agreement.
Other agenda items tied to city services and budgets
Council action packets include multiple budget and contract updates beyond the Ramona project:
- Measure A homelessness funding: Pasadena’s allocation will provide $1.32 million in FY2026 for Continuum of Care activities. Proposed amendments would support rapid rehousing for up to 15 households, housing navigation for up to 25 individuals, and thousands of motel nights for emergency shelter through local service providers. Contracts may be extended up to five years and can add future Measure A allocations.
- Printing supplies contract: The Finance Department seeks to continue buying specialized paper and envelopes used across city offices. The city has spent more than $200,000 with the current vendor since 2015, with costs covered by the Finance operating budget.
- Street resurfacing — Fair Oaks and Madison avenues: A contract with Toro Enterprises for roughly $1.72 million would resurface Fair Oaks Avenue from Washington Boulevard to the north city limit and Madison Avenue between Villa Street and Orange Grove Boulevard. The work uses fiber‑reinforced rubberized asphalt and aims to raise the street Pavement Condition Index for Fair Oaks from 57 to 100. Construction is expected to start in October and finish in December.
- CIP and budget amendments: A package of amendments would add about $13.39 million to the FY2026 Capital Improvement Program, including sewer relining, park and bridge restoration grants, police technology upgrades, pedestrian safety work, and utility equipment transfers. The General Fund share is about $7.9 million.
Policy updates and technical rules
Several policy and code changes are on the agenda:
- Speed hump guideline amendments would lower the daily traffic threshold for eligibility from 1,000 to 500 vehicle trips, change voting rules so approval is based on 67% of returned ballots with a 50% response requirement, and allow Greenway bike routes to be considered for humps.
- Bicycle code updates would align local rules with state law by defining electric bicycles consistent with the California Vehicle Code, removing bicycle registration requirements, and clarifying sidewalk riding rules with speed limits (up to 10 mph on sidewalks, 5 mph when pedestrians are present).
- Solar and storage sizing at Pasadena Water and Power would allow solar systems sized up to 150% of a customer’s maximum annual use over five years, and larger systems up to one megawatt if paired with storage and grid capacity allows. The change is intended to modernize limits and support electrification planning.
Context and related projects
The agenda also includes design reviews and background on completed senior housing efforts in the city that provide context for the Ramona proposal. One completed project showcases supportive housing with on‑site services for extremely low‑income seniors who experienced homelessness. Other planning items under review include a six‑story assisted living and memory care concept on East Walnut Street.
FAQ
What will the Ramona Senior Housing provide?
The project would deliver 100 total units — 99 for low‑income seniors and one for a resident manager — along with a community room, courtyard, and on‑site management offices. Some units will be reserved for seniors who are unhoused.
How is the project funded?
Funding sources include city support valued at about $19.24 million (including a ground lease value), $4.75 million construction loans from the State Local Housing Trust Fund plus $250,000 administrative funds, federal HOME funds, Los Angeles County loans and vouchers, and applications for tax credits and state multifamily funds. The developer reports a roughly $50.7 million funding gap to close.
Will the project include parking?
No on‑site parking is proposed. Plans call for a covered loading zone and a paratransit pickup area on Ramona Street.
Is the Council vote an environmental approval?
The budget and lease amendments are described as administrative and not subject to CEQA. The development itself was previously found exempt under the in‑fill housing category.
When would construction start if funding closes?
Construction timing depends on final financing and permits. The agenda materials do not set a fixed construction start date; the Council action would authorize lease and budget terms and allow administrative amendments including time extensions.
Key features at a glance
| Item | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Site | 280 Ramona St. in Pasadena Civic Center |
| Project | Ramona Senior Housing — five stories, 100 units (99 affordable) |
| Estimated cost | $83.1 million |
| City support | $19.24 million (including ground lease value) |
| State funds added | $5 million State Local Housing Trust Fund (includes $4.75M construction loan) |
| Parking | No on‑site parking; covered loading zone and paratransit pickup planned |
| Lease term | 99 years at $1 per year with 99‑year affordability regulatory agreement |
| Environmental status | Administrative amendments not subject to CEQA; project previously CEQA in‑fill exempt |
| Other Council items | Measure A homelessness funding, street resurfacing contracts, speed hump rules, bicycle code updates, solar sizing policy, FY2026 CIP amendments |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Pasadena Now — City Council to consider $83.1M senior housing project
- Wikipedia: Ramona Senior Housing
- Pasadena Now — Design Commission to discuss senior living project on Walnut Street
- Google Search: Pasadena Design Commission Walnut Street senior living
- Housing Finance — Heritage Square South delivers hope and housing for formerly homeless seniors in Pasadena
- Google Scholar: supportive housing formerly homeless seniors Pasadena
- Los Angeles Times — Pasadena retirement home “A Familiar Touch” (Villa Gardens)
- Encyclopedia Britannica: retirement home
- USA Today — LA fires assisted living (Pasadena Eaton fire)
- Google News: Pasadena Eaton fire assisted living
