Friendship Pasadena CDC – In The News

Please join our effort to encourage the City of South Pasadena to drop their lawsuit blocking our mission to provide affordable housing.

One Question – Friendship CDC

There is only question is – Does the State of California and the City of South Pasadena need more developers of affordable housing or less? Friendship Community Development Corporation, is a 501C 3 Community-based non-profit formed to provide housing services to low-income, senior citizens, and veterans. Friendship CDC is a social entrepreneur whose only goal is to provide quality, affordable housing to residents and unlike many developers whose only goal is to maximize profit, Friendship CDC’s goal is to maintain affordable rents for the long-term residents of 626 Prospects Ave., South Pasadena and improve the property. We plan to bring the property to the highest zoning standards while maintaining the character of the property and neighborhood.

The Friendship CDC team are all professionals who have over 30 years of experience in the fields of Construction, Real Estate, Law, Housing, and Community Development. Many of the team have experience working with the Los Angeles Development Authority, (Former LA County CDC), the City of Pasadena, the City of Inglewood, and the City of Burbank. Some of the team members have non-profit experience with Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services (LANHS) and the Southern California Association of Government. The Friendship CDC team has experience with all Federal, State, and County Housing programs. The Friendship CDC team is qualified and committed to preserving affordable housing in the San Gabriel Valley.

Friendship CDC is a subsidiary of Pasadena Friendship Church one of the oldest African-American Churches in Old Pasadena that was organized in 1888. Friendship has witnessed firsthand the effects of the displacement of many of its congregants and local businesses from the development of the 210 and the 710 Freeways surrounding the church. It is for this reason that Friendship CDC was formed. Friendship CDC cannot replace the once vibrant community that surrounded the church but can work to improve the housing needs of low-income residents.

Friendship CDC was selected by Caltrans in 2020. Despite delays due to COVID, threats of lawsuits, and misinformation concerning our status and financial ability, we are moving “Forward” with design plans, and selection of the rehabilitation team. We have faith that a non-legalized solution can be found to the City of South Pasadena’s concerns. Friendship CDC looks forward to working with all “stakeholders” in the rehabilitation of 626 Prospects. Our only goal is to provide quality affordable housing to those in need.

Please join us in our efforts to dismiss this frivolous lawsuit and help us move forward with providing affordable housing.

Sincerely,

Rev. Lucious Smith

Letter of Support Sample:

Dear Community Leader,

I am writing to enthusiastically offer my support for the Pasadena Friendship Community Development Corporation (PFCDC) and its mission to provide affordable housing and services for seniors, veterans, and workforce residents.

PFCDC is on the brink of making the dream of providing affordable housing a reality. They have assembled a knowledgeable and experienced team of housing, financial, legal, and social service professionals.

Please join me in helping PFCDC make safe, affordable housing a reality for our community members.

South Pasadena City Council Contacts:

The Pasadenan | 626 Prospect Ave Sale

Court Blocks Caltrans Sale to Pasadena Church

The City of South Pasadena on Thursday won a preliminary injunction preventing Caltrans from selling its 12-unit residential property at 626 Prospect Avenue to a church in Pasadena.

LA Superior Court Judge Mary H. Strobel issued the temporary injunction pending a trial she set for May 2022, during which the city will make its case for why Caltrans violated the law when it offered the property to Friendship Pasadena Church and should instead be ordered to sell it to South Pasadena’s own housing authority.

After the ruling, Pasadena Friendship attorney Brad Fuller said that at the hearing next May, it will become clearer to Strobel how to protect all the parties’ interests and she will “see the merit” of the church’s proposal. Fuller “can’t figure out why South Pasadena is so against our organization” and adverse to having it develop the property. “We have an excellent history of redeveloping land and getting properties rehabilitated and providing affordable housing for residents.” Read More

Court Documents

Caltrans Properties | City Asks Court to Rescind Prospect Ave. Sale – July 11, 2021

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