The Californer - City of Long Beach Awards Negotiating Rights to Develop Former North Neighborhood Library

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Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach, through its nonprofit affiliate The Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), on Jan. 18, 2023, awarded exclusive negotiating rights to a local developer for the purchase and construction of townhomes at the site of the former North Neighborhood Library.

"I'm so proud that this property will continue to serve the community, now as much-needed affordable housing," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This move is another step in uplifting our residents by providing more opportunities of home ownership and getting them on the path to generational stability."

Facilitated by the Long Beach Development Services Department, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) was awarded the exclusive negotiating rights for the purchase and development of the former library site at 5571 Orange Ave.

"We are grateful for the chance to work with a partner like Habitat LA that has an outstanding record of housing accomplishments," said Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin. "For North Long Beach, this project will be welcomed as a valuable asset to the community and appreciated by those first-time, low-income homebuyers who will be able to call this project their home."

Habitat LA plans to build on the site eight two-story townhomes that will be sold to low-income, first-time homebuyers. The project is expected to break ground in fall 2023.

"The LBCIC is proud to continue supporting investments such as this that will provide affordable homeownership opportunities for Long Beach families," said The LBCIC Chair Mary Castro. "Habitat LA has been a long-time partner of the city and we are thankful for their investment in the Long Beach community."

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Habitat LA continues its progression of building homes and making homeownership accessible for local first-time, income-qualified buyers. A recent Habitat LA project completed in Long Beach is the Millennium Homes development that features 10 two-story townhomes in Midtown.

"Habitat LA is looking forward to continuing our 30-year relationship with the City of Long Beach and The LBCIC through this development," said Habitat LA President and CEO, Erin Rank. "Combined with 36 townhomes we just started in the Washington neighborhood, Habitat LA will soon have 44 new homes in Long Beach for sale to first-time homebuyers."

The Habitat homes will be sold using affordable loans and down payment assistance through Habitat's unique homeownership model.

"It is so exciting to see a former civic space, the site of our former north library, come back to life as housing for deserving Long Beach families," said Director of Development Services Christopher Koontz. "Habitat does a great job of turning dreams of homeownership into reality. We are so excited to partner with them again on this important project."

Last week, the Long Beach City Council adopted the proclamation of a local homelessness emergency to strengthen the City's preparedness and ability to respond to homelessness, including moving quickly and efficiently to expand housing and services. As part of this declaration, a dedicated work group has been assigned to focus on increasing housing opportunities, both permanent and temporary, that provide greater access for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

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For more information on the City's affordable housing and assistance programs, the community can visit longbeach.gov/lbds.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Development Services
Serving residents, businesses and the community at large, the award-winning Long Beach Development Services Department sets a standard for high-quality, innovative urban planning and livability efforts that create more progressive and sustainable communities within the diverse City of Long Beach, CA. Through a variety of development, code enforcement, housing and neighborhood services and building activities, the Department builds a better future for the city while also honoring its unique past. For more information, visit longbeach.gov/lbds. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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