The Garden Court was built in response to a desperate need for very low income housing for the frail elderly in Santa Barbara, California. This need was exacerbated when the Carrillo Hotel demolition displaced 120 frail seniors. A public-private partnership consisting of resident and senior advocate groups were involved in the design, planning, and funding of Garden Court. The high density of Garden Court adds vitality to the downtown area, and its close proximity to services (1-2 blocks) such as, grocery, pharmacy, senior recreation center, transit center, downtown shopping makes it an ideal home for many seniors. Built on an infill site that contained derelict apartments on underutilized land, the Victorian styling and massing of Garden Court echoes the predominantly residential neighborhood in which it was built.

The tax credit program provided the bulk of the affordable financing. Frank Thompson was the housing consultant who secured the tax credits, structured the low interest loan with the City of Santa Barbara, and brokered the partnership with the non-profit partner, the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara.

Support household and neighborhood fit:

Garden Court provided a replacement facility for low-income frail elderly who were displaced when the retirement hotel in which they lived, the Carrillo Hotel, was demolished, as it did not meet current seismic standards. The central downtown location of the Carrillo Hotel was a very important aspect of the seniors' lifestyle. Therefore the replacement site for the Garden Court at De La Vina needed to also be in a central downtown location.

Be universally accessible:

All 96 units, common spaces and site amenities are either fully accessible or adaptable.

Meet high aesthetic standards:

The Garden Court at De La Vina underwent stringent architectural design and site planning review by the Santa Barbara Board of Architectural Review and the Planning Commission. These are arguably two of the most exacting review bodies in the country. It was important that the building have a residential feel, rather than an institutional feel. The community is constantly complimenting the development on its quality of the design.

Promote physical safety and security:

The building is designed around a huge outdoor courtyard. This provides a protected outdoor recreational and social area. The main street frontage of the building has a covered porch with inviting furniture, which allows residents to enjoy the street activity. The management office/front desk is staffed by resident managers who insure the security of the building, as they monitor this single public entrance.