In Midway City, American Family Housing has broken ground on one of Orange County's first affordable housing developments to be built with prefabricated modular units. 

Casa Paloma, now under construction on a 1.12-acre site at 15161 Van Buren Street, will consist of a four-story structure containing 71 apartments ranging between 600 and 900 square feet in size.  Outside of two manager's apartments plans call for 48 of the homes to be reserved as permanent supportive housing, with the remaining 21 income-restricted units to be reserved for households earning up to 50 percent of the area median income.

Site plan for Casa PalomaKTGY

The approximately $39-million project will offer rents ranging from $720 to $1,441 per month, according to an October 2020 staff report to the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.

KTGY Architecture + Planning is designing Casa Paloma, which is described as a courtyard-style development with private open spaces creating open space and natural light for residents.

“Like most areas of Southern California, western Orange County is starved for affordable housing,” said KTGY design principal Keith Labus in a news release. “Casa Paloma responds to this need with a cost- and time-efficient modular approach that will be an attractive modern addition to this neighborhood and can be replicated in other locations.”

Completion of Casa Paloma is on pace to occur in Summer 2022.