Construction has started on Donner Field Senior Apartments, an affordable housing development in Oak Park designed to serve older adults. The 67-unit project is being built at 3311 45th St. on a site that was previously vacant.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on February 27, attended by Sacramento officials, development partners, and community members.
“Affordable options are critical to building pathways for seniors to stay in stable housing in the neighborhoods they love,” said Mayor Kevin McCarty. “This community is a step in the right direction, especially for our most vulnerable. Hopefully, residents from our tiny homes, shelter facilities, and motel program can graduate into projects like this.”
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) selected Eden Housing as the developer through a request for proposals process initiated in 2020.
“Oak Park is changing quickly, and it is important that the people who built this neighborhood are not pushed out of it,” said Councilmember Caity Maple, who represents the area. “Donner Field Senior Apartments will give older residents a safe and affordable place to live in the community they have long called home. This project means stability for seniors, support for those who have experienced homelessness, and a stronger future for Oak Park. I am proud to see this long-vacant site finally become housing that serves the people who need it most.”
Funding for the development comes from local, state, and federal sources. The Sacramento City Council approved $1.25 million toward predevelopment and construction costs. Additional funding includes Low Income Housing Tax Credits as well as programs such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and Sacramento County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
The apartments will be available to households aged 55 or older earning no more than half of the area median income. Seventeen units are set aside specifically for seniors experiencing homelessness who will be referred through the Sacramento Continuum of Care system; these residents will also receive supportive services and case management.
The complex will feature both two- and three-story residential buildings along with a separate community building around a shared green space intended for gatherings and outdoor activities. Adult education classes and other services will be provided by Eden Housing’s resident services staff.
Other amenities include a community center, computer room, garden beds, bicycle storage, laundry facilities, gated parking, and electric vehicle charging stations. The project aims to achieve GreenPoint Rated Gold certification due to its energy-efficient design.
