Retirement Home, City Team Up For $17 Million Renovation

The Concord Retirement Home and the City of Pasadena are teaming up for a $17 million dollar renovation.

The Concord, a 149-unit affordable apartment community for low-income seniors located at 275 Cordova St. in Pasadena, will be undergoing a substantial renovation starting in mid-July, the Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) announced.

A RHF statement said plans include renovating all common areas, adding a computer lab for residents and creating a media area.

The plans show an enhanced landscaped outdoor area for residents to enjoy, and all balcony railings being replaced. Windows will also be replaced with energy efficient windows, the statement said.

All plumbing and electrical systems, including the emergency generator and the fire alarm system, will be replaced. The existing emergency-call system will be upgraded and a new security system will be installed.

“This 149-unit apartment building has been part of the RHF family of affordable housing communities for older adults since 1989,” Dr. Laverne Joseph, RHF President and CEO, said. “With assistance from the City of Pasadena, RHF was able to purchase the building in 1989 while the City retained ownership of the land. We are very pleased to have worked with the City to acquire the land and obtain financing for the acquisition as well as funding to upgrade the Concord. RHF has committed to rent restrictions for the next 55 years so we can continue to serve older adults and persons with disabilities for many more years.”

Individual apartment improvements will include replacing all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops, new plumbing fixtures, new kitchen appliances, new air conditioning and heating units, replacing all flooring, window coverings, and converting bathtubs to walk-in showers. All lighting, appliances and HVAC units will be energy efficient, the plans showed.

Ten percent of the units will be modified as “accessible units” to accommodate persons with disabilities.

Funding for the financing and the renovation of The Concord was provided by the City of Pasadena, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Wells Fargo and Citibank.

RHF, which runs the residence, is one of the nation’s largest non-profit organizations that provides housing and services for more than 22,500 older adults, low-income families and persons with disabilities. It was founded in 1961 by two clergy and a layperson in the United Church of Christ and now has 197 communities in 29 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands.

Of those communities, 79 are in California and 58 are in Southern California.