Housing Momentum and Transit Funding Shape Santa Ana’s Week

Santa Ana is seeing steady movement on housing and infrastructure this week, with new construction underway and fresh data showing the city outpacing much of Orange County on affordable housing goals.

MainPlace Mall Adds 400+ Apartments

Developers have broken ground on a 408-unit apartment community at MainPlace Mall, marking the next phase in the area’s shift from traditional retail to mixed-use living. The five-story project will include a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units built above structured parking, along with shared amenities and landscaped open space.

The development follows the earlier opening of a 300-plus unit complex nearby and is part of a broader effort to add housing near jobs, shopping and transit. City leaders have supported mall redevelopment projects as a way to meet state housing mandates while revitalizing aging commercial corridors.

Santa Ana Leads on Affordable Housing Targets

New countywide reporting shows Santa Ana is currently the only Orange County city with more than 100,000 residents on track to meet its state-mandated affordable housing goals. Officials report that the city has already issued enough permits to satisfy its low-income housing allocation and is roughly 70 percent of the way toward its very low-income target.

More than 800 affordable units have come online in recent years, reflecting a combination of infill projects, supportive housing and public-private partnerships. The progress stands out at a time when many neighboring cities are struggling to keep pace with required housing production.

State Transit Funding Could Support Local Projects

At the state level, transportation officials this week approved nearly $1 billion for transit, freight and emerging transportation technology projects across California. While allocations are spread statewide, Orange County agencies are expected to compete for portions of the funding.

For Santa Ana, additional transit dollars could help strengthen connections around the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and support long-term improvements tied to bus, rail and street-level mobility. City officials have consistently linked housing growth with transit investment to reduce traffic impacts and improve access to jobs.

Sources

https://therealdeal.com/la/2026/03/31/lowe-breaks-ground-on-more-mainplace-mall-housing/
https://voiceofoc.org/2026/04/cities-lag-affordable-housing/
https://smmirror.com/2026/03/nearly-1b-approved-for-california-transit-freight-and-transportation-technology-projects/