Clara Vista and Iluma

California

Iluma and Clara Vista are the innovative joint redevelopments of the Stanton Inn & Suites and Tahiti Motel in the City of Stanton, transforming two existing motels into 130 units of permanent housing for formerly unhoused individuals and families. This development is led by Jamboree — a California-based 501c3 nonprofit with a proven track record of transforming communities from San Diego to Sacramento with affordable housing combined with resident services. The motel conversion project represents a major success for the public-private Homekey program, and is also supported by the City of Stanton, CA, the Orange County Housing Authority, and Jamboree’s syndicator partner Boston Financial.

Orange County sits at the intersection of California’s struggles with homelessness and an inflation surge that has pushed up already unaffordable rents for working-class and lower-income families. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2024 report The GAP there are only 25 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 Californians who need them. According to the 2021-2022 Orange County Community Indicators Report, the median price of an existing single-family home in Orange County reached over $1.09 million dollars in July 2021, representing an increase of 23.9 percent compared to the previous year. The rental landscape is no longer affordable: an Orange County resident needs to earn more than $39.48 an hour to afford a median-priced one-bedroom apartment, almost three times the minimum wage. According to Jamboree’s research, the primary cause of homelessness in Orange County is finding and keeping a steady job with a wage that affords rent, food, and clothing – not alcohol and/or drugs, mental health, or release from jail or prison.

At Clara Vista and Iluma, all units are set aside for those struggling with homelessness — 10 of which are dedicated to unhoused individuals with mental disabilities and another 10 for unhoused veterans.

Demand for permanent supportive housing and veteran housing in the area is strong. Per the most recent Orange County Point in Time count, there were approximately 7,000 homeless individuals (both sheltered and unsheltered) living in the county. 15% of the homeless population are veterans, and approximately 25% of the homeless population are dealing with mental health issues. Orange County has identified the need for approximately 2,700 new supportive housing units based on information from the Point in Time Count and the Annual Homeless Assessment Report.

The formerly homeless and those living with mental illness are among the least represented in programs serving people experiencing homelessness nationwide – and the most expensive in terms of cost to taxpayers for hospitals, medications, and jails. Permanent supportive housing like Iluma and Clara Vista has been proven to be a cost-effective solution to serving people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Jamboree’s motel conversions created homes, not a shelter. Unlike shelters, residents in permanent supportive housing do not have to leave their apartments every day and return at night. Individuals must qualify for this type of housing and are referred to the property from the Orange County Health Care Agency. Tenants at Clara Vista Apartments and Iluma pay 30% of their income as rent, no matter how small that income may be. The cost in public services for a chronically homeless Californian ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. When housed, these costs are cut in half and reports show reductions in cost of more than 70%, including potentially less involvement with the health and criminal justice systems.

The supportive housing Jamboree provides at both Clara Vista and Iluma combine affordable housing with onsite services for those with disabilities and a history of homelessness. This type of housing enhances the quality of life for the entire neighborhood by bringing neighbors from homelessness into housing with onsite access to trained professionals who can provide services and support – including case management, life skills education, and opportunities for social connectedness and meaningful activities. The goal is long-term housing stability to keep these residents active, stable, and thriving in their local neighborhood. It’s not just about housing, it’s about empowerment, well-being, and breaking the cycle of homelessness. It’s about providing the tools and resources at the right moment to help individuals regain their independence and create a brighter, more stable future.

Integral to the success of both Iluma and Clara Vista are the inclusion of fully funded, ongoing supportive services – delivered with a “whatever it takes” approach – that enable these formerly homeless residents to live in permanent supportive housing with a stable environment. Every resident benefits from on-site support provided by Jamboree’s dedicated Community Impact team within a purpose-built community building. This building includes counseling rooms for individual sessions, a small group room, a kitchen, a TV lounge area, a game room, a laundry room, and office spaces for service staff. Adjacent to the building is a spacious courtyard featuring a garden, barbecue areas, seating, tables, walkways, and landscaping—a welcoming space for residents to come together.