Disneyland Resort is the first private donor to the newly revitalized Orange County Housing Trust. The Resort has given the Trust a $5 million grant to support housing projects in Anaheim.
What’s happening:
- The Disneyland Resort has been named as the first private donor to the newly revitalized Orange County Housing Trust.
- The Resort is providing a generous $5 million grant to the Trust to support housing projects in Anaheim.
- The grant from Disneyland was needed in moving The Manchester Project, a 102-unit affordable housing development, into its final phase of funding and to groundbreaking in 2020.
- Orange County Housing Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the supply and availability of affordable housing units in Orange County.
- The Trust exists thanks to an alliance between NeighborWorks Orange County (NWOC) and Orange County Business Council (OCBC).
- NWOC and OCBC have retooled Orange County Housing Trust as a financing vehicle for:
- Grantors
- Foundations
- Corporations
- This restructuring will help to leverage public and private funding to bring future permanent supportive and affordable housing projects in Orange County across the finish line.
- The $5 million grant from Disneyland Resort is the first leadership-level commitment received by Orange County Housing Trust in support of gap financing for the acquisition, development and construction of permanent supportive and affordable housing projects in Orange County.
What they’re saying:
- Lucy Dunn, President and CEO of Orange County Business Council: “OCBC is proud to work with NWOC in revitalizing the Orange County Housing Trust and moving quickly toward steps that will result in immediate construction of supportive housing developments. We are challenging local business leaders to join us in tackling this serious issue by following the Disneyland Resort’s lead as we work to fund similar projects in the pipeline. Cities do not bear the costs of statewide housing shortfalls alone – ultimately, businesses and residents pay the price in the form of higher fees and taxes, greater demand on public safety services and increased cost of social services. Thus, we must all band together to address this issue in order to safeguard and sustain a high quality of life for Orange County residents.”
- Josh D’Amaro, President of Disneyland Resort: “Communities need permanent supportive housing to help address homelessness and the housing affordability challenges impacting nearly every city throughout California. We are proud to support the Orange County Housing Trust with a $5 million grant that will be focused on Anaheim-based projects and look forward to the Trust’s role in addressing this need in our community.”
- Helen O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Orange County Housing Trust: “With Orange County’s affordable housing crisis growing to epic proportions, we are so grateful to Disneyland Resort for stepping up to play an important part in solving this issue. With this generous donation by Disneyland Resort, and matching donations from our business community, we will be able to efficiently bridge the funding gap for this much-needed project and many others in the region, ultimately reducing homelessness and enhancing the quality of life for all Orange County residents.”
About the Manchester project:
- Expected to break ground in 2020, Jamboree Housing’s Manchester project is the city’s 13th affordable housing project and is designed to help Anaheim access a new source of state funding – money earmarked for lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- This will be achieved by the development’s sustainable and energy-efficient design, as well as its convenient location to much of Anaheim’s larger employers.
Orange County Housing Trust:
- Orange County Housing Trust is a fully qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit private capital-funded trust dedicated to increasing the supply and availability of permanent supportive housing units and affordable housing developments in Orange County to prevent homelessness.
- With renewed interest to solve the homelessness crisis in Orange County, Orange County Business Council approached NeighborWorks Orange County to work together to retool OCHT and seek donations from the private sector interested in making a difference.
Neighborworks Orange County:
- Since 1977, NeighborWorks Orange County has empowered diverse neighborhoods to create high quality environments for residents – all in support of the vision of Home as a safe, affordable place to become empowered, encouraged and inspired.
- Today, NWOC provides services throughout and beyond the region to people from all walks of life.
Orange County Business Council:
- Orange County Business Council represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia to enhance Orange County’s economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life.
- OCBC is comprised of the region’s most influential global businesses and organizations in the region, working to assure effective investment in infrastructure, an advanced education system that produces skilled workers, growth of venture capital and high tech companies, and housing solutions for the workforce.
- OCBC membership is comprised of some of the world’s largest global corporate leaders as well as representation from local government and academia.