Newport Beach affordable housing unit for seniors and veterans faces opposition

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A new project to create affordable housing for seniors and veterans in Newport Beach is running into opposition from neighbors.

The city of Newport Beach voted to grant a local developer nearly $2 million to renovate a piece of property along Coast Boulevard.

City officials felt the 12-unit apartment building renovation offered a sound investment.

"This gave a lot of a number of units given what we felt was a limited number of funds," Newport Beach City Council member Kim Brandt said.

But the project faces stiff opposition from residents as dozens voiced the concerns at the city's last council meeting.

Most concerns focused on current tenants being evicted, the project changing the character of the community, and most of all, a lack of communication with the neighborhood.

Some residents have started a petition against the project.

Under the agreement, the property will be used for affordable housing for at least 55 years.

The developer of the project, Community Development Partners, sent ABC7 the following statement, "With over 130,000 veterans in Orange County providing options for safe, quality, permanent affordable housing is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone. We are proud to bring this high quality development to the City of Newport Beach."

"The project will do its small part in addressing the very real housing need. We will continue to improve our outreach efforts to the surrounding neighborhood as we move forward with the next phases of development," the statement continued.

Community Development Partners said it expects the first tenants to move in by early 2017.