FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT
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Why are Mercy Housing and CTY Housing pursuing this development?
In keeping with their missions, Mercy Housing California and CTY Housing have been committed to working with the City of Long Beach to develop high-quality, affordable rental housing, including apartments serving individuals who have experienced homelessness. In 2023, Mercy Housing completed its search for an appropriate location and entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the 300 Alamitos site, a critical step in making this development possible.
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PLANNING
What is the planning process for this development?
All development approvals and entitlements were streamlined through the City of Long Beach prior to the developers acquiring the site.
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DESIGN
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Who are the architects working on this development?
The architects for 300 Alamitos are Studio One Eleven. Studio One Eleven is an architecture, landscape, and urban design firm dedicated to repairing cities. Located in downtown Long Beach, the firm’s work includes affordable housing and community focused developments. A sampling of their work includes:
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Heritage Gardens, Senior affordable housing
901 E Pacific Coast Highway, LB, CA 90806 ​
Senior Arts Colony, Senior affordable housing
200 E Anaheim St, LB, CA 90813
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The Annex, Senior affordable housing
225 East 12th Street, LB, CA 90813
Ronald McDonald House
500 E 27th, LB, CA 90806
Collage, Family affordable housing
1905 Pine Avenue, LB, CA 90806
The Court, Senior affordable housing
1044 Maine Avenue, LB, CA 90813
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How do the design and site plan for 300 Alamitos relate to the neighboring community?
The site faces small-scale retail to the north, west, and south, with a low scale hotel at the corner of Alamitos & 4th, and a residential condominium building to the east. The site has been strategically laid out to be sensitive to these neighboring properties. Locating the taller building section along the busy western edge of Alamitos Avenue, allows the building shape to use the courtyard to visually create a shared space between the new structure and the existing residential building to the east. This courtyard configuration also helps with the neighbors’ privacy and prevents the blocking of views and light. Ground level apartments, office space for residential services, and a community space activate the street edge and screen the parking.
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COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS
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Who are the anticipated residents of 300 Alamitos?
The future residents will be seniors, aged 55 and over, with limited incomes, as well as seniors and senior veterans who might have experienced homelessness. There will be 81 apartments with rents ranging between $780-$1,560 per month. Income eligibility limits are based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines for 2024. These guidelines are updated annually. According to current income eligibility limits, 40 of the apartments will be made available to persons whose incomes are at or below $29,150 annually, or 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), 33 of the apartments will be made available for persons whose incomes are at or below $48,550 annually (50% of AMI), and 8 of the apartments will be made available for persons whose incomes are at or below $55,750 annually (60% of AMI). There will be 1 on-site management apartment.
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What is Permanent Supportive Housing?
Permanent Supportive Housing is a housing model that combines low-barrier affordable housing, health care, and supportive services. This model has been shown to not only impact housing status, but also results in cost savings to various public service systems. Residents live independently in a regular apartment property with the same standard residential lease and house rules that one would find in any other apartment complex. There are also wrap around services offered including case management, service coordination, substance abuse services, links to vocational training, and health and wellness programing. ​
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What is the leasing/screening process?
The leasing process includes requests for information on credit history and landlord history, as well as other indicators that the applicant will be able to live successfully in the community. All members of the household will sign the lease obligating them to the conditions of the lease and all lease addendums. In addition, Mercy Housing contracts with a third party to conduct criminal background checks on all applicants for the properties in its portfolio. This is to determine that neither the resident nor any household member will have a record of misdemeanor convictions within the past 3 years or a record of felony convictions in the past 4 years. No applicant or household member who is subject to the national sex offender lifetime registration will be admitted under any circumstance.​
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How can I apply to live in these apartments?
The lease up process is anticipated to be in late Fall of 2026. Please check www.300alamitos.org in Summer of 2026 for application information.
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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND RESIDENT SERVICES
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Who will provide property management services at the property?
Mercy Housing Management Group (MHMG), an affiliate of MHC, will be the management agent for the property and is committed to providing quality property management services which reinforce the philosophy that all residents deserve respect, dignity, and a place to call home. Currently, MHMG manages over 160 properties in California, with 328 affordable housing developments nationwide, serving 43,000 total residents.
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How will property management handle any issues that may arise?
The property manager is responsible for responding to neighborhood concerns regarding the property and the impact residents or guests might have in the community. Neighbors will have contact information for the property manager and will be encouraged to share their concerns.
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What is the management staffing at the property?
There will be a full-time property manager, assistant property manager, janitor, and maintenance technician who will work at the property. A member of the management team will also live on site.
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What is the staffing for resident services at the property and what services will be provided for the residents?
Residents will have access to dedicated support through two full-time staff members: a Resident Services Coordinator from Mercy Resident Services and an Intensive Case Management Specialist from Heritage Clinic. The Resident Services Coordinator will focus on providing programming in areas such as health and wellness, financial literacy, and other activities tailored to the needs of the senior residents. Additionally, this coordinator will connect residents with local organizations and additional services throughout the Long Beach community, drawing on Mercy Housing California’s 35 years of experience in senior housing services, including their work at St. Mary Tower and Heritage Gardens in Long Beach.
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How will property management handle any issues that may arise?
The property manager is responsible for responding to neighborhood concerns regarding the property and the impact residents or guests are having in the community. Neighbors will have contact information for the property manager and will be encouraged to share their concerns.​​​​
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PARKING AND TRAFFIC
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Will there be parking for residents/ staff/ visitors?
32 parking spaces will be shared between residents, staff, and visitors on a first-come, first-served basis, and they will be supervised by the management staff.
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How will local traffic in the area be affected during construction?
A traffic study analysis was completed and provided to the City to anticipate and address any potential issues. Traffic control measures will be implemented during construction phases to manage traffic flow and minimize disruptions.
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COMMUNICATIONS
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How has the 300 Alamitos team communicated with current neighborhood residents?
A traffic study analysis was Mercy Housing and CTY Housing sent a postcard with relevant information to community members who live or own property within a roughly 750 ft. radius of 300 Alamitos Avenue. The map can be found at (Map link) on the FAQ page of the development website. www.300Alamitos.org.
If you did not receive a mailing and wish to be on the mailing list, please provide us with your contact information by emailing 300Alamitos@Ctyhousing.com.
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How can I get updates about this development?
For updates on 300 Alamitos, please visit this website regularly and reach out via email to 300Alamitos@ctyhousing.com for more information.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Yes! Volunteers, both individuals and groups, are welcome at all Mercy properties. There will be opportunities for volunteers to help with many different events and activities, as well as holiday celebrations. Residents are also encouraged to volunteer in the community, so suggestions of opportunities are gratefully received.
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