Renting a home in Sacramento? According to research by the California Housing Partnership, you'll need to earn $32.92 an hour, 2.1 times the minimum wage, to afford the average asking rent in Sacramento County.

That's a big problem for some aging adults.

Access to Affordable Housing Challenging for Renting Seniors

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, an estimated 30% of aging adults are renters who are much more likely to be financially burdened by a combination of low incomes and rising housing costs compared to older homeowners. Elderly renters may face greater challenges in maintaining stable housing as they age. While adults over 65 make up only a small share of Californians experiencing homelessness, this group has experienced the largest growth in homelessness over the past five years.

Among those at risk are Asian American seniors, who make up 26% of the population of aging renters. 

Many longtime residents of Sacramento, including seniors within the Asian American community, have struggled to find stable, affordable housing as costs continue to rise, says the American Planning Association, which notes that language barriers, limited access to culturally competent services, and economic insecurity are factors further exacerbating the risk of displacement among Asian-American seniors.

Wong Center Brings Affordable Senior Housing to the Railyards

"The urgency to address these inequities became the driving force behind the Wong Center. Named to honor Dr. Wah and Loretta Wong, prominent figures in Sacramento's Chinese-American community, the project aims to create a space where seniors can live with dignity, remain connected to their cultural heritage, and have access to the support they need to age in place. By situating the Wong Center in the heart of the Railyards, the project provides critically needed affordable housing. It ensures that Sacramento's Asian American and the diversity of all Sacramento seniors remain an integral part of the city's future." - Building Housing and a Cultural Connection in Sacramento, American Planning Association.

The Wong Center provides 150 affordable housing units for seniors earning between 40 percent and 60 percent of Sacramento County's area median income. It includes 135 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments and a range of amenities, including community spaces, a garden, and a bocce ball court. Bike storage and EV charging stations accommodate multiple travel modalities, and a pet area allows seniors to bring their pets with them to the development. In addition to these amenities, special programs are provided to connect residents through social gatherings and cultural traditions. Fitness and mindfulness classes are offered to enrich physical and mental wellbeing, and many of these services are provided by bilingual and culturally competent staff. 

The Wong Center was funded by private and public contributions, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The project is a collaborative effort between Mutual Housing California, the Wong Center Board of Directors, city officials, and community stakeholders. 

Construction on the Wong Center began in July 2022, was completed on schedule, and opened its doors to residents in October 2024.

Immediate demand for housing filled the Wong Center to 100% occupancy. It's a model for what can be done to meet affordable housing, particularly for seniors. The Wong Center has created a cultural hub that preserves community heritage in a historically significant location in Sacramento.