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More Caltrans homes along failed 710 Freeway extension going up for sale
A former Caltrans property that was put up for sale by the city of South Pasadena.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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More Caltrans homes will be up for sale along the failed 710 Freeway extension in Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno.
This time, the properties are earmarked for affordable housing. The California Department of Transportation is inviting qualified buyers to submit their interest in the homes, which are expected to go to auction early this summer.
Eric Menjivar, media relations manager with Caltrans, told LAist they’re expecting roughly 50 properties to go up for sale.
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Where we stand
Private and public groups known as “Housing-Related Entities” are able to bid on the El Sereno properties.
The private options can include corporations, trusts and similar organizations approved by Caltrans. They can be for-profit or nonprofit and must be able to provide and manage affordable housing.
The properties in Pasadena and South Pasadena, however, will be offered to the cities first. Those that are left unpurchased will then go before the other, department-approved bidders.
The properties have been sold on a rolling basis based on priority, with current tenants at the top of list.
Some current tenants are purchasing their rentals. Menjivar said in a statement that more than 70 properties in escrow have been purchased by tenants.
Every tenant in single-family residences on the corridor was given the same option, he added.
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How to apply
If you’re interested, you should send an email to SR710@dot.ca.gov with your organization name, address, email and qualifications. It should also include a mission statement and details of your experience with providing affordable housing, including the number of units in your portfolio.
The deadline is May 30.
You will be notified if you’re approved and placed on a registry for property bid requests. You can find more information here.
How we got here
The homes in South Pasadena, Pasadena and El Sereno were set to be demolished decades ago to connect the 710 and 210 freeways.
In all, Caltrans purchased hundreds of homes to make way for the extension that never got built.
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Last February, the South Pasadena City Council approved purchasing six unoccupied properties from Caltrans. Most sold for thousands above asking months later.
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