LEGACY—Betty Farmer celebrates her 87th birthday while Analee Villalpando, residence services coordinator for Thomas Safran, looks on. Located in the heart of Old Town Calabasas, the Canyon Creek apartments comprise the first senior affordable housing project in the city dedicated to low-income individuals 62 years old and older.

Developer Thomas Safran said the impetus for Canyon Creek began six years ago when he met Calabasas widow Betty Farmer who agreed to sell her land to build low-cost homes for seniors.

The $20-million development was made possible with the help of several government agencies.

Calabasas contributed $1 million from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and Los Angeles County provided a $2.5-million low-cost loan from its community development fund. A $3.5-million low-interest loan from the state and $10 million in federal tax credits sealed the deal.

“The affordable rents would not be possible without the contributions of the City of Calabasas and other public agencies,” said Safran, whose company, Thomas Safran and Associates, developed more than 5,000 units of affordable rental and market rate housing in Los Angeles County.

Sean Rogan of the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission said the Canyon Creek development raises the bar for affordable housing and senior communities in the region.

“When you drive by this development, you certainly aren’t going to think this is an affordable housing project,” he said. The threestory building has 74 onebedroom apartments with living quarters, kitchens and bathrooms. Each unit has a private balcony or patio. Monthly rents are from $416 to $882. About 100 people are on a waiting list for an apartment.

“This is not a typical senior home,” said Don Haberman, who previously lived in Malibu Canyon Apartments. He said his $760 monthly rent at Canyon Creek is half of what he used to pay. “You can’t get that anywhere else in the city,” the 72-year-old said.

Residents had to meet annual income requirements of not more than $34,800 for a single person or $39,780 for couples. Applicants participated in a lottery last May.

Helen Regen, who lived in Calabasas for 20 years before she had to move out of town due to the high cost of living, said the affordable apartments allowed her to return to the community where she raised her family.

“Somebody was watching over me. When I filled out an application, my life was in shambles. And out of rubble came this gorgeous, fabulous place to live,” she said.

Since many people had financial difficulties recently, officials allowed individuals who had lost their homes in foreclosure to apply for an apartment, said Ben Saltsman, planning deputy for L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

“We want to make sure that Calabasas and every other area in the county stays a complete community where every section of the population can stay throughout their lives,” Saltsman said.