Housing Shortfalls, MainPlace Groundbreaking and ART Shutdown Shape Anaheim’s Week
Anaheim, CA – April 1, 2026 – Affordable housing gaps, a new MainPlace project, and the end of ART bus service mark a pivotal week for the city.
Anaheim is facing a consequential stretch for housing, transportation and long-term planning, with new data and major milestones unfolding across the city.
Affordable Housing Goals Lag
A countywide report released this week shows Anaheim trailing its state-mandated affordable housing targets. While the city has added hundreds of lower-income units in recent years, it remains behind pace on overall goals set under California’s housing law.
The findings put renewed pressure on city leaders to accelerate approvals and incentivize projects that meet very low- and low-income thresholds. With land constraints and financing challenges slowing construction regionwide, Anaheim’s progress is being closely watched as part of Orange County’s broader housing compliance picture.
MainPlace Mall Housing Breaks Ground
In a boost for residential development, crews have broken ground on a new multifamily project at MainPlace Mall. The development adds more housing to the Platinum Triangle corridor and reflects Anaheim’s continued push to convert underused commercial land into mixed-use neighborhoods.
City officials have long identified mall and resort-adjacent properties as key infill sites. The project is expected to bring new apartment units near jobs, retail and transit, supporting economic development goals while expanding the city’s tax base.
ART Bus Service Ends
Tuesday marked the final day of service for Anaheim Resort Transportation, the shuttle network that has long connected hotels, the resort district and regional transit hubs. Rising operating costs and flat revenues led the nonprofit operator to wind down service as of March 31, 2026.
The shutdown leaves questions about how visitors and workers will move between the resort area and transit centers like ARTIC. City leaders are expected to evaluate replacement options, including potential partnerships or expanded municipal oversight.
Why It Matters
Together, these developments underscore the balancing act facing Anaheim: meeting state housing mandates, modernizing transportation systems and sustaining economic growth tied to tourism and redevelopment.
With budget planning season underway, decisions made this spring could shape how the city funds infrastructure, supports workforce housing and adapts to shifting travel patterns in the years ahead.
Sources
https://voiceofoc.org/2026/04/cities-lag-affordable-housing/
https://therealdeal.com/la/2026/03/31/lowe-breaks-ground-on-more-mainplace-mall-housing/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaheim_Resort_Transportation
