County OKs $18M Bond for San Clemente Senior Apartments

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to sell bonds worth $17.6 million to help finance a low-income senior apartment complex in San Clemente.

The $30.9-million project, which S.C. Senior Apartments is building, will consist of 76 units at 2350 S. El Camino Real.

Supervisor Pat Bates, who represents San Clemente's district, said the project would be worth the money and last long enough to justify the loan.

"All the issues that have been raised have been answered to my satisfaction," Bates said as she made the motion to approve the bonds. "[The developer] has proven over a number of years their viability."

Supervisor Scott Nelson was the sole opponent of the bond issue. He said the county should get credit for helping to meet its affordable housing requirements with this project. Instead, credit for helping meet the federal mandate will go to the city of San Clemente, despite the county money pouring in.

Other funding sources include a state grant for $5.48 million, a $3-million loan from the city of San Clemente and various other loan and revenue sources from county, state and local coffers.

The project, according to county staff reports, will include 61 one-bedroom units and 15 two-bedroom units. Rents for 75 of the units will be at or below 50 percent of the area's median income. The manager’s unit will not be restricted. Some 15 units will be reserved for residents who need mental health services and 12 will be set aside for those who need services to deal with chronic long-term health problems, according to county documents.