From Freeway to Friendship Terrace: A New Chapter for South Pasadena Families

Last week’s grand opening of Friendship Terrace in South Pasadena marked a joyful homecoming for residents returning to their newly rehabilitated apartments. The 12-unit building, originally constructed in 1953, has been thoughtfully renewed by Pasadena Friendship Community Development Corporation (PFCDC) with construction financing from Century Housing. “Any day we get to celebrate new or revitalized affordable homes is a good day in Los Angeles County,” said Tracey Burns, Century’s Vice President of Construction Lending, who called the project “a wonderful example of what can happen when local partners come together to preserve housing and open doors of opportunity.”

Friendship Terrace sits at the intersection of neighborhood life and California freeway history. Decades ago, the property was one of hundreds acquired by Caltrans for the now-defunct 710 freeway expansion, a plan that displaced thousands of residents in El Sereno, South Pasadena, and Pasadena and left many homes vacant or underutilized for years. As part of a long-awaited disposition effort, Caltrans is now required to sell these properties at or near their original purchase prices to existing renters, local governments, or nonprofit organizations that will preserve them as affordable housing. PFCDC seized that opportunity in March 2024, purchasing the building in an all-cash, below-market transaction and transforming a symbol of uncertainty into a renewed community anchor.

With construction now complete, Friendship Terrace offers homes in a high-opportunity neighborhood close to jobs, schools, and major commercial centers, with rents averaging 41% below current market rates. All 12 units are reserved for households earning at or below 80–120% of Area Median Income, and 55-year affordability covenants ensure that the building will remain a source of stable, affordable housing for generations to come. For PFCDC, Century Housing, and the residents who now call Friendship Terrace home, last week’s celebration was about more than a finished construction project—it was about reclaiming a freeway story and turning it into a lasting investment in community.