Residents Get First Look at New Housing Project

They got soaked during a rainy ribbon cutting ceremony, but residents of the Pico Aliso housing projects who attended the event celebrated when they had their first glimpse Tuesday at the 31 new apartment units that some are going to call home.

Esperanza Vazquez, 78, who has been living in the Pico Aliso projects for the last 29 years, praised the reconstruction, saying the neat rows of new apartments will bring pride to the community.

“Young children can be taught to respect them” Vazquez said.

The 31 apartments are the first phase of a massive construction project that one day will replace about 500 units. Some housing is still being demolished while the construction proceeds.

City Housing Authority officials said the new units will not be ready for occupancy until next month.

Housing director Don Smith said funding to erect the apartments was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.