The Bishop Street Studios project, a repurposing of the abandoned orphanage and juvenile hall above Johnson Avenue, took a significant step forward in early June when Transitions-Mental Health Association filed its plans with the City of San Luis Obispo.
“The last year felt like an uphill climb and I guess that’s expected,” said Jill Bolster-White, TMHA’s CEO. “After all, we are building on a hillside. But things are starting to accelerate—it’s very exciting.”
Bishop Street Studios will be a conversion of the original 1931 building formerly known as Sunny Acres—now abandoned for more than 40 years—and add three new structures to create 34 one-person apartments that will become supportive housing for men and women living with mental illness.
“There has been a lot of speculation regarding who would occupy these apartments,” Bolster-White said. “TMHA runs a full spectrum of housing programs, and Bishop Street Studios will be for our most self-sufficient mental health clients. These are men and women who may have struggled in the past, but are making great progress on their recovery journey. They know how to live independently, but they are simply shut out of the high-priced housing and rental market. A project like Bishop Street Studios will provide these clients with a permanent housing option, which is so critical.”
TMHA has been working with the local design firm, Ten Over Studio, to refine plans that make Bishop Street Studios both attractive and affordable.
“Ten Over Studio did an inspired job with our Nipomo Street apartments,” Bolster-White said. “They took a deteriorating property and made it absolutely sparkle. That’s important, because we are part of every neighborhood we join, and we do our part to keep those neighborhoods beautiful.”
The latest site plan and illustrations of Bishop Street Studios can be seen at http://www.bishopstreetstudios.org.
To make Bishop Street Studios a reality, TMHA has partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo. HASLO has been a prominent force in the creation of local affordable housing since 1968, and they have valuable experience with tax credit financing. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program uses tax policy to help develop affordable rental housing for very low-income individuals.
“This is an incredibly important project for our community, and HASLO is proud to be a part of it,” said Scott Smith, HASLO executive director. “Just imagine the hope it represents for those in need, and the peace it offers to family members, knowing that their loved one will have an affordable, supportive place to live.”
Together, TMHA and HASLO will fund the estimated $8 million project through a combination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, State Mental Health Services Act Housing Funds, the Affordable Housing Fund through the Federal Home Loan Bank, and local donations.