Reflecting on our 4th Year – June 2026

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City Council approved this 30 condo housing project’s appeal.

Friend of CHOA,

The CHOA team is winding down our efforts for this school year, taking a moment to reflect on and celebrate our efforts over this time.  Thank you for being a part of the effort to build affordable housing in Arcadia, and finding ways to reduce homelessness.  CHOA will take July off to rest and be restored, and will be back in August!

Here’s what is in this newsletter:

  1. The CHOA team reflects and celebrates the efforts over the last 12 months: Even though this school year has not had major efforts or city council votes, CHOA has been active and connected to what has occurred.  Join us to reflect on and celebrate our accomplishments.  Consider joining the CHOA team.
  2. 30 condo unit project at 514-518 Fairview passed: City Council voted to accept this project’s appeal this week.  There are no affordable housing units in this project, but it is still a positive development for the city.  More details are below.
  3. Free Housing Rights workshop – June 24th: On Wednesday, June 24th (5pm to 6pm), there will be an online seminar on knowing your housing rights.  You need to register to attend. See below for details.

Peace,
–Mike Veerman
CHOA Team Lead

Reflection of the CHOA team effort these last 12 months

The CHOA team has accomplished some key efforts, and continues to build trust and hope in regards to housing in the City of Arcadia.  Review this list and celebrate with us, as many of you have been a part of these efforts.

  • Created 4 Resource web pages on the CHOA website, so churches and individuals can find resources of housing, and/or resources when people who are homeless approach them.
  • Hosted 2 Sharing Gatherings:
    • Good Shepherd Methodist Church: In November, this was the first time this church hosted our event.  Even through pouring rain, many of you came to learn and to share!
    • Arcadia Congregational Church: In April, ACC hosted CHOA a second time.  A representative from the Arcadia Police Department came to share how they mindfully handle calls regarding people who are unhoused, with a service-first approach.
  • CHOA and the City of Arcadia
    • Connected with City council regarding:
      • Sent City Council in November 2025 a signed letter of support for the Alexan Arroyo project, bringing 359 rental units to Arcadia, including 35 affordable housing units.
      • Attended the City Council meeting in March 17th vote for the Colorado Place 86 townhomes project.
      • Spoke regarding the change of the housing navigation/case management from LACADA to HERO at the May 2026 City Council meeting.
      • 2 CHOA team members spoke at the June 16h City Council meeting regarding the 514 Fairview project for 30 condos.
    • Presented former Mayor Sharon Kwan a certificate of appreciation in February, for the 3 times she has come to CHOA events and gatherings in 2025; she spoke in 2 of those gatherings.
    • 4 CHOA team members helped with the Point-in-time Homeless Count in January.
  • In October, CHOA wrote a letter signed by 8 CHOA team members and supporters to LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to urge the county to grant the Lucile parcel to the city of Arcadia, so the city can pursue affordable housing at that location.  Unfortunately we failed, as the county sold this property.
  • CHOA was part of two Arcadia Interfaith Action Group (AIAG) events and monthly meetings. 
    • The Thanksgiving gathering was at Holy Angels Catholic church. 
    • National Day of Prayer in May was at Temple Beth David in Temple City.
    • Two CHOA team members regularly attend the monthly AIAG luncheons.
  • CHOA visited Arcadia churches 12 times in the last 12 months. We continue to make connections, build relationships and trust, and explore how the churches can be engaged in housing in Arcadia.

Think about if you would like to join the CHOA team.  We can do more, with more team members.  You can help us by visiting churches, writing newsletters, going to City council and other city meetings, or working on new efforts.  You truly can be part of the impact for housing in Arcadia.  No one person has to do it all, but as a team, we can each can fill a significant part.

30 condo project at 514-518 Fairview approved

There was another small victory for housing Tuesday night as City Council approved a 30 unit condo development at 514-518 Fairview Ave, see the picture at the very top of this newsletter.  (There are no affordable housing units included in this project, as this project was submitted before the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance took affect.)

It’s a great location for this development, because it is surrounded by similar apartments and condos. And the pleasant Fairview Avenue Park is just a 2 minute walk away. Although none of the new units will be deed restricted affordable, this development replaces 3 existing homes and some storage buildings with 30 units (see site plan above), a tenfold increase in housing supply for this site! More housing supply helps lead to lower housing prices.

Some existing neighbors were understandably upset about the new condos, though. Arcadia’s regulations allow housing developers to pick three design standards they don’t have to follow as long as they meet all other city design standards. So the developers will be allowed to remove eleven coast live oak trees to build these condos and replace them with some newer and smaller trees.

The Planning Commission had originally voted 4 to 1 to reject this condo development back in April. But state laws like SB 330 and the Housing Accountability Act only allow these types of projects to be rejected if there are specific health or safety concerns. No such dangers are present with this project. So, to avoid being sued by California like anti-housing cities like Huntington Beach, City Council did the right thing and approved this project on Tuesday.

Two CHOA team members spoke in support of this project (see the pictures below), and invited neighbors to attend future CHOA meetings.

Free Housing Rights workshop – Wed., June 24th – 5pm


The Housing Rights Center (HRC), in partnership with the City of Arcadia, will present a free Fair Housing Workshop for Arcadia landlords and tenants. The virtual workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  

The Workshop will cover important topics for renters and landlords, but all are welcome to attend. Mandarin interpretation will be provided.  

Topics include:  

  • Overview of federal and state fair housing laws 
  • Disability accommodation & modifications: What is required and how to request/respond 
  • Source of income protections, including Section 8 and other rental subsidies
  • Rent increase limits and eviction protections under the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)

Registration is required to join the Zoom workshop: 
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kL4jqG_FQdKtVx_YaEESkA.  

The Housing Rights Center offered this same workshop last year.