GLENDALE : Talks to Proceed on Area Housing Project

The Glendale Housing Authority voted Tuesday to negotiate with the city of Pasadena and a nonprofit group, the Pasadena Housing Alliance, to build housing for low-income families from both cities who are trying to escape homelessness.

During negotiations, officials will discuss a request that Glendale donate $600,000 toward a $2.2-million regional housing project.

Glendale’s portion of the project money would be taken from $2.3 million provided to the city by the federal government as part of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

Pasadena officials, working with the Pasadena Housing Alliance, plan to purchase land and three structures at 154-160 S. Euclid Ave. in Pasadena for a regional housing project.

Officials hope to refurbish buildings at the site to provide 20 one- and two-bedroom units, a manager’s unit, a social services office and an infant-care facility within the project--known as Euclid Villa.

Pasadena officials are working to get financing for the project, and plan to apply for several grants and hold a fund-raising campaign to complement $507,000 in funding from Pasadena, and Glendale’s possible $600,000 contribution.

If the project falls through, an agreement will allow Glendale, Pasadena and the alliance to pursue land for other regional housing opportunities, said Madalyn Blake, Glendale director of community development and housing.

Under a plan drawn up for Euclid Villa by the alliance, low-income families, primarily single parents with children, will be referred to the housing project by nonprofit agencies serving the homeless in Glendale and Pasadena.

If the project reaches fruition, Pasadena agencies would be allowed to place families in half the units, while Glendale nonprofit organizations would have access to the other half.