California Expands Affordable Senior Housing with Major Groundbreaking in Downtown Covina

Sacramento, Calif. - The California Department of General Services (DGS) announced today a major step in the state's investment in its seniors with the groundbreaking of Covina Senior Apartments, a new affordable housing community rising in the heart of Downtown Covina. This milestone underscores California's deep and enduring commitment to ensuring residents aged 62 and above have access to safe, stable, affordable homes - and to vibrant, supportive environments where they can build meaningful relationships, stay connected, and truly thrive.

Located at 233 N 2nd Ave, the new six-story development will offer 60 affordable apartments, including 15 units specifically designed for residents who are visually impaired. More than just housing, this community is intentionally designed to support independent living while bringing people together. Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces will encourage daily social interaction, community-building, and long-term well-being.

"This project shows how we can deliver real value to the public when we take a thoughtful, practical look at how state land can be put to better use," said DGS Director Jason Kenney. "We're not just creating more housing - we're building a community where seniors can connect with one another, feel supported, and have the stability they need to live independently. Today's milestone reflects California's focus on purposeful, compassionate action, and it moves us closer to ensuring every Californian has access to a place where they can thrive."

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) awarded this development nearly $36.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds. In addition, the project is supported by $14.8 million through a special $101 million Multifamily Finance Super NOFA-LA Disaster fund set aside to help the region quickly expand supply of affordable rental housing in the wake of devastating 2025 wildfires.

"This project really highlights how several innovative Newsom Administration programs came together to help a community rebuild and recover on an expedited timeline-at a time of critical need," said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. "By reimagining underutilized state buildings as housing, and dedicating the funds to get construction-ready projects underway quickly, more seniors in the Los Angeles community will soon be connected to services, stability, and opportunity.

Aligned with California's statewide affordable housing goals, Covina Senior Apartments will feature energy-efficient systems that promote sustainability and healthier living environments. The project reflects the state's broader mission to create housing that meets today's needs while planning responsibly for the future.

Developed by Laing Companies in partnership with Community HousingWorks (CHW), this redevelopment project is part of Governor Gavin Newsom's effort pursuit of transforming excess state properties into affordable housing.

In 2019, the Governor issued Executive Order N-06-19, which tasked DGS and HCD with tackling the state's affordable housing crisis by identifying underutilized state-owned land that could be converted into affordable housing, with consideration of factors such as proximity to job centers, amenities, and public transit. The order has since been utilized to create hundreds of affordable homes, including:

• 248 new homes at Sugar Pine Village for families and workers in the Tahoe region.

• 207 new homes under construction at Mulberry Gardens Senior Apartments and the Mulberry Gardens Family Apartments in Riverside.

• 58 new homes completed at Sonrisa in Sacramento.

• 48 new homes completed at Guardian Village in Reedley.

• 241 new homes under construction at The Monarch in Sacramento.

• 167 new homes under construction at Turk Street and Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.

• 54 new homes completed at Pacific Commons in Truckee.

• 79 new homes under construction at Valley Vista in Clearlake.

As part of a recent organizational realignment, DGS's Excess Sites partner has transitioned from HCD to the California Housing Development and Finance Committee, the state's central hub for financing multifamily affordable housing. This move strengthens California's ability to deliver future projects efficiently and at scale.

The Department of General Services acts as the business manager for the state of California. DGS helps state government better serve the public by providing services to state agencies, including procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management, leasing and design services, environmentally friendly transportation, and architectural oversight and funding for the construction of safe schools.