A California housing project has coupled affordable housing with an array of enriching arts amenities – from theaters to art galleries – for dozens of seniors and families in the Los Angeles-area.

Long Beach, Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles co-funded the multi-million dollar apartment communities, called arts colonies, with developer Meta Housing and several local community development agencies. The artistic merits and design of the arts colonies have been recognized by the California Building Industry Association, John Huskey, chairman and CEO of Meta Housing, said in a statement.

“Development of today’s senior housing requires a completely different approach than that of generations past,” he explained. “Americans are living longer, healthier lives, and are in need of housing that will provide new opportunities to increase longevity and sustain good health.”

Now, the partnership has produced three senior arts colonies – the Burbank Senior Artist Colony, built in 2005,  the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, built in 2012 and the Long Beach Senior Arts Colony, built in 2013. Earlier this year, Meta and Los Angeles' community development department opened the first family arts colony, San Pedro's Pacific Avenue Arts. The fifth arts colony, which will be opened to families, will be completed in Glendale next year. 

The arts colonies have spurred arts engagement in the residents' living spaces and for those across the city interested in art classes and professional-scale plays. 

For more information about the affordable arts colony projects, visit Meta Housing's website.