City, Habitat for Humanity, Build First ADU as Affordable Housing

Pasadena’s ongoing efforts to create more affordable housing have resulted in the creation of its first such accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

The City of Pasadena partnered with the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Pasadena Community Foundation to build the 534 square-foot ADU in the backyard of an existing home in Pasadena. The ADU is one bedroom, one bathroom, and has a kitchen and small living area.

The Waverly Avenue property is owned by the City of Pasadena, and there is an existing home in the front of the lot. The front home will also be used as supportive housing.

Funding for the ADU came from the Pasadena Community Foundation, while Union Station Homeless Services is providing supportive services at the site and will select the new formerly homeless resident(s), who will reside in the unit, said SGV Habitat spokesperson Steve Gomez Pedroza .

This is the first ADU built by SGV Habitat with volunteers from organizations like East West Bank, who recently donated their time to help build the unit. A number of the bank’s executives, including Robert Lo, head of commercial banking, arrived at the job site on June 26, and spent the day mixing cement and hanging drywall at the new home.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the bank said, “East West Bank has a long-standing relationship with SGV Habitat and serves as its primary banking partner, including a dynamic volunteer/philanthropic relationship that continues to grow.

“EWB has continued its commitment to supporting affordable housing and community development projects in communities it operates. EWB aims to enhance the quality of life in the community by engaging in meaningful and effective programs that reduce homelessness, increase homeownership, preserve affordable housing, promote asset building, and enable more inclusive access to modern banking services,” the statement added.