CalOptima Health contributed $8 million in grant funding toward permanent supportive housing units
ORANGE, Calif. (February 18, 2025) — C&C Development broke ground on Lincoln Avenue Apartments, a large affordable housing community in Buena Park that will serve more than 50 families and veterans in need. While the project combines funding from several entities, CalOptima Health is providing an $8 million grant to support housing for Medi-Cal members.
With a planned completion date in October 2026, Lincoln Avenue Apartments will consist of 54 affordable units, with several specifically designated for high-need populations. This includes five units for student families, 11 units for veterans, and 13 permanent supportive housing units for families and individuals with special needs.
“C&C Development is honored to be working to strengthen the affordable housing options in Buena Park,” said Todd Cottle, Principal at C&C Development. “Building communities like Lincoln Avenue Apartments is our passion, as we embrace collaborative public-private partnerships that lift up lowincome Orange County residents.”
“CalOptima Health’s award of $8 million toward Lincoln Avenue Apartments reflects our ongoing commitment to secure housing as the foundation of health,” said Michael Hunn, Chief Executive Officer of CalOptima Health. “These new housing units will improve the lives of many of our Medi-Cal members, especially our kids who will enjoy the fun tot lot and teen outdoor fitness areas.”
CalOptima Health’s grant is tied to participation in the Department of Health Care Services’ Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP), which allows the health plan to fund affordable and permanent supportive housing. HHIP aims to prevent and address housing insecurity for Medi-Cal members by ensuring those experiencing homelessness have a clear path into housing and can access the services needed to remain housed.
“Over the past two years, CalOptima Health has provided more than $93 million in HHIP funding to capital housing projects that, when complete, will add 1,215 units across Orange County,” Hunn said. “Supporting affordable housing will impact the community for decades, and Lincoln Avenue Apartments is the latest example of our belief that housing is health.”
C&C Development partnered with Riverside Charitable Corporation to develop Lincoln Avenue Apartments. The units will range in size from approximately 500 to 900 square feet and will be both ADA-accessible and adaptable. They also incorporate sustainable design elements and practices, such as drought-tolerant landscaping and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems, water heaters and appliances. Residents will have access to a community room, laundry room, children’s tot lot, teen outdoor fitness area and a BBQ pavilion.
Residents will also benefit from the LifeSTEPS program that will be on-site to provide adult education classes and after-school activities for children. “These life-enriching experiences will help Lincoln Avenue families grow stronger and transform their lives,” Cottle said.
Buena Park Mayor Joyce Ahn concluded: “Today’s groundbreaking is just one milestone in our journey to expand affordable housing in Buena Park. We hope to continue working with great developers like C&C Development in the future to expand the City’s diverse housing inventory.”
About CalOptima Health
A county organized health system, CalOptima Health provides quality health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Health’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves nearly 918,000 members with a network of more than 8,300 primary care doctors and specialists and 43 acute and rehab hospitals.
About C&C Development
C&C Development is an affordable housing developer with a commitment to develop and preserve quality affordable housing communities. C&C exists to create healthy, safe and attractive housing for families and seniors. Its goal is to develop affordable housing communities to strengthen individuals, families, neighborhoods and cities at large.
About Riverside Charitable Corporation
Riverside Charitable Corporation (RCC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing affordable housing needs and improving communities through partnerships and innovative projects. RCC has been instrumental in transforming spaces into accessible housing solutions, focusing on underserved populations, such as seniors and low-income families.