Sister Mary Beth Ingham recently joined a group to assess the progress of transforming the former Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange into a new community that provides affordable homes for seniors, including those who have faced homelessness.
During the construction, Ingham, who had previously resided in the Motherhouse with fellow sisters, wore a hard hat as she explored the renovation of the three-story building into 50 apartments and shared spaces, according to a report in The Orange County Register. These new accommodations, located at 480 South Batavia Street, will not only offer a place to live but also provide essential services for the residents. Standing in what used to be her room, Ingham fondly recollected the time the sisters spent in the building before it ceased being used as a permanent residence in 2015.
In 2012, as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Ingham explained that they examined how they could collaborate with other organizations to address the most crucial needs of people today. One solution was partnering with Mercy Housing to convert the former residences and administration building, which was constructed in 1958, into affordable housing.
They decided to focus on creating permanent housing for seniors with lower incomes, specifically allocating a portion of the new units for seniors who had experienced recent homelessness.
Ingham stated that providing a home for individuals on the brink of poverty who would benefit from the stability and security of having housing was an ideal use for the building. Despite the challenges of securing funding and initiating the project during a pandemic, Ingham emphasized that these obstacles only strengthened the relationships between the participating organizations, which have come together to make Villa St. Joseph a reality.
She noted in the report, “Relationships build when you sweat for things,” and added, “What is life if we don’t have challenges?”
Mercy Housing has partnered with the OC Health Care Agency’s Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health department to provide support services for future residents.
The $37-million project received financial assistance from a number of sources, including $5.6 million in loans from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, $6.1 million in loans from various county sources, and $1.6 million in loans from the City of Orange.
The largest share of private financing comes from UnitedHealth Group, which is contributing $16.3 million in equity through a tax credit partnership with Enterprise Housing Credit Investments.
Orange Mayor Dan Slater expressed gratitude for the project, stating, “This new community will provide new, affordable housing for seniors in the region who need a helping hand. We are so thankful to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mercy Housing, and all the partners involved in this important project for their continued commitment to people in need.”
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange have provided a $5.7 million loan and are leasing the property to Mercy Housing.
Ingham described it as a wonderful opportunity for the sisters to provide a place of wholeness, healing, and health for those who need it most.
Villa St. Joseph, expected to be completed in 2024, is situated on part of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s expansive 11-acre campus, adjacent to Providence St. Joseph Hospital. The campus includes other residences for current and retired sisters, the Sacred Heart Chapel, a welcome center, a justice center, various ministries, and ample green space with lawns, walking paths, and numerous trees.
Ingham expressed the sisters’ excitement in welcoming their new neighbors, stating, “We will look forward to ways where we can connect, but also be respectful of boundaries.”
“It is very exciting,” she added. “This is a day we’ve waiting for quite a long time.”
