Sacramento has unveiled its latest effort to address the housing needs of its aging population with the opening of Wong Center, a new age-restricted housing complex designed for seniors. Conveniently located downtown in the Railyards district, this development aims to provide affordable housing options for those aged 55 and above. A celebratory grand opening brought city, county, and state officials together, where Mayor Darrell Steinberg expressed, “This incredible project was a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together Mutual Housing California, Wong Center Board of Directors, and our City’s commitment to increasing affordable living opportunities for our beloved seniors,” in a statement obtained by Sacramento City Express.
Funding for Wong Center came from various sources, including a $3.5 million loan from the City's General Fund and Measure U funds by the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. The state pitched in with $25 million through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $27 million in tax-exempt bonds. Contributions from the Wong Center Board of Directors included a notable $12.8 million, with an additional land donation valued at $4 million, and, $2.2 million came from Downtown Railyard Ventures. Remarkably, the project finished both on schedule and under its budget projections, as mentioned by the Sacramento City Express.
Consisting of 150 units, Wong Center offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom living spaces complete with kitchens and bathrooms. According to the published report, this housing initiative targets seniors with income levels that range from 40 percent to 60 percent of the area's median income. Councilmember Katie Valenzuela remarked at the grand opening, “This affordable housing project will provide permanent housing to seniors in our communities and is an incredible new addition to our Downtown and Railyards communities,” as reported by Sacramento City Express.
Amenities at the community include essentials such as laundry facilities and communal spaces, along with additions like EV charging stations, bocce ball courts and, a community garden. Resident services and community programs are also a part of the offerings at Wong Center, delivered through Mutual Housing California, providing financial education, senior health, and wellness programs, along with leadership development opportunities.
In an effort to imbue the site with local culture and history, Mutual Housing is currently seeking artistic contributions for two significant public art installations at Wong Center—one indoor and one outdoor. The call for submissions is open through November 1, and interested parties can find more information on the application process on their website. Those interested in becoming part of the Wong Center community can apply for the waiting list for all apartment sizes, with options being made available to applicants on a rolling basis, as stated on Mutual Housing’s website, as per Sacramento City Express.
