The Basics

What are adaptive reuse programs?  Adaptive reuse means adapting an existing, economically obsolete building for a new, more productive purpose. The changes are typically substantial physical alterations that modify the building's original intended use.  In many cases, an adaptive reuse project can convert an existing building to new apartments, live/work spaces or other housing types (adapted from City of Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Program Description.)

When are adaptive reuse programs used?

In cases where existing building(s) become economically obsolete or underutilized.  Adaptive reuse refers to the refurbishment of these building (e.g., commercial buildings, schools, churches) into affordable housing units.    

Adaptive reuse of buildings creates new housing opportunities by converting preexisting building structures into affordable housing units.  This practice may help preserve historical architecture and stimulate economic investment in areas that may have lacked residential uses.  

The adaptive reuse of building into a residential use implies that a building structure exists and that it can be converted to residential use.  In high growth areas, the availability of idle buildings may be limited.  The practice typically requires extensive partnership and even subsidies in order to make available and convert an idle building. 

Resources/links

• East Bay Economic Development Corporation (EBCDC) has experience with adaptive reuse—the CDC rehabilitated 123,000 square feet of the former Kaiser Mill complex, into 98 units of affordable independent housing for people 62 years of age and older and office spaces of the East Bay Regional Offices for the Department of Children Youth and Families. This complex also has a 92 unit assisted living facility, Franklin Court Assisted Living. They also purchased a former Rectory with plans to convert the 10-bedroom, single-family dwelling into a multi-family home. Their intention was to turn the single family home into five units: two on the first and two on the second floors, and a fifth on the third floor. This project, unfortunately, failed to receive state funding needed to continue.
• Preservation and adaptive re-use of Iowa's historic school buildings by conversion to affordable rental housing
• Adaptive reuse projects in the City of Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Handbook