California Construction News staff writer
National CORE has broken ground on Prisma Loft Apartments, a new affordable housing development designed to offer 75 high-quality homes—including innovative live/work lofts and units for individuals with developmental disabilities—in the heart of Pomona’s vibrant downtown arts district.
Prisma, at the corne of Mission Boulevard and Palomares Street, aims to serve families, young professionals, and people with developmental disabilities by providing apartments for residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income.
Amenities include an 800-sq. ft. gallery, resident lounges, a landscaped courtyard, and a large public mural by artist Oscar Magallanes in partnership with Arteco Partners.
“Prisma Loft Apartments will show how affordable housing can revitalize neighborhoods and support lasting change,” said Alexa Washburn, Chief Development Officer at National CORE. “This project will turn an underutilized piece of land into a source of hope and opportunity for families.”
City officials, elected leaders, and community stakeholders gathered to celebrate the launch of the $57 million project, which is funded through a collaboration of local, state, and federal partners, including the City of Pomona, Bank of America, Century Housing, California Department of Housing and Community Development, HUD, and the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center.
The development’s location —less than a mile—from the Pomona Arts Colony and Pomona Transit Center positions it as a model for integrating affordability, culture, and accessibility, a statement says.
Jed Leano, chair of the San Gabriel Valley Housing Trust, which is helping fund the project, called Prisma “a powerful example of how affordable housing can also activate our downtowns and corridors, blending housing, art and local commerce to create vibrant, inclusive communities.”
Bank of America’s Community Development Bank provided construction financing and tax credit equity, with Executive Sindy Spivak highlighting the importance of workforce housing, including units tailored for individuals with disabilities.
Onsite supportive services will be provided by the Hope Through Housing Foundation, while specialized care for residents with developmental disabilities will be supported by the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center.
Gustavo Velasquez, director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, stressed the need for more affordable rental housing in the Los Angeles area, particularly given recent wildfire-related displacements. He noted the project’s connection to the state’s Infill Infrastructure Grant program, which helps make developments like Prisma possible.
U.S. Representative Norma Torres, who secured $800,000 in federal funding for Prisma, underscored the critical role of stable, affordable housing for families, seniors, and individuals. “Prisma Lofts Apartments provides much-needed affordable housing combined with a focus on serving our community, perfectly fitting Pomona’s historic downtown and Arts Colony,” Torres said.
The Prisma Loft Apartments are expected to open new opportunities for residents, fostering community revitalization and supporting Pomona’s growing arts and cultural scene.
