MidPen Housing has opened an 80-unit affordable housing community in Watsonville, California.
The new development’s homes, including 39 designated for farmworker families, serve residents earning up to 60% of the area median income.
Cienega Heights is the second of a three-phase effort to create affordable homes on nearly 15 acres. MidPen completed the first phase, the 46-unit Pippin Orchards Apartments, in 2018.
“Cienega Heights is more than new housing—it’s an investment in working families and farmworkers who are the backbone of this community,” said Santa Cruz County supervisor Felipe Hernandez. “This project reflects what we can accomplish when local governments and partners come together with a shared commitment to creating stability and opportunity for the people who live and work here.”
The all-electric development features a community room, a learning center, a landscaped courtyard for play and recreation, and an outdoor amphitheater for meetings, theater, and music. MidPen Services coordinates on-site services for residents, such as after-school programming, financial capabilities classes, and health and well-being programs.
“We’re thrilled to welcome 80 families home to Cienega Heights, including farmworkers who contribute to an essential sector of the regional economy,” said Matthew O. Franklin, president and CEO of MidPen Housing. “We applaud all of our local, state, and private-sector partners for their vision and commitment to bringing much-needed affordable housing to southern Santa Cruz County.”
Financing for the approximately $49 million development came from multiple sources, including Santa Cruz County; Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz; California Department of Housing and Community Development Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program; California Tax Credit Allocation Committee; Central Coast Community Energy; Land Trust of Santa Cruz County; California Community Reinvestment Corp.; and Wells Fargo.
The architect is DAHLIN Group, and the general contractor is L&D Construction Co.
