WATSONVILLE — The feeling in the courtyard at Tabasa Gardens was one of jubilation as community leaders celebrated the opening of Watsonville’s newest housing project.
Tabasa Gardens, at 1482 Freedom Blvd., is not just any new housing development. It is a new community that aims to serve all income levels, with approximately half of the more than 50 units reserved for farmworker families and an additional six dedicated to families getting out of homelessness.
The project comes courtesy of Eden Housing, a Hayward-based nonprofit housing developer, in partnership with the city of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County Housing Authority, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, California Department of Housing and Community Development, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Central Coast Community Energy, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance and Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.
Located in gray and cream-colored buildings, the complex features amenities such as a computer learning center, community room, bike storage room, electric vehicle charging spaces, laundry rooms, open space, barbecue area and playground with a rock-climbing wall and spider web net. It also provides residents with wellness, career and financial literacy services.
Linda Mandolini, president of Eden Housing, said the project began leasing six months ago and is already half-leased.
The community is named after Rosita Tabasa, a lifelong Watsonville resident and proprietor of the Philippine Gardens, the epicenter for Filipino-American activities on lower Main Street, which had a primarily Asian population but was neglected by leaders at the time. Special attention was also given at the ceremony to Rosita’s son, Jess, who taught at E.A. Hall Middle School until he retired in 2014 and was actively involved in local organizations such as Filipino Community of Watsonville, Caballeros de Dimas-Alang and the Filipino American National Historical Society, where he served as Tri-County president of the Monterey Bay Chapter. He died in 2022.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez recalled having Jess Tabasa as a teacher.
“He really instilled some discipline in young students,” Hernandez said. “Once I graduated high school, I went into the Army and the funniest thing is that all the drill sergeants reminded me of Mr. Tabasa, so I had experience in dealing with drill sergeants.”
Hernandez said Tabasa Gardens would be a boon for the community.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous community,” he said. “This development offers hope to farmworkers, the unhoused, working families, reflecting our commitment to housing equity.”
One of the features of Tabasa Gardens is an abundance of sustainability amenities, including solar panels over the carports and Energy Star appliances in all units. This commitment to green energy was funded through a partnership with Central Coast Community Energy.
“Equipping these new homes with all-electric appliances reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also it improves indoor air quality and the quality of life for these residents,” said Dawn Mathes-Park, director of communications and outreach for Central Coast Community Energy. “Installing all-electric, super energy-efficient appliances also saves money on utility bills and prevents the needs for costly retrofits later.”
The complex features a mosaic mural at the corner of Freedom Boulevard and Atkinson Lane depicting Rosita and a young Jess standing on the steps to a doorway. This mural was replicated from an old photograph and created by Caitlin Bayaca, an Aptos High School graduate now attending San Diego State University.
Two of Rosita’s children, Susan Tabasa Cruz and Greg Tabasa, also spoke. Cruz appreciated that so many units would be dedicated to farmworker families, having come from one herself.
“Affordable housing gives these workers a sense of a connection to the community,” Cruz said. “This is basically to better their whole lives. We need to remember that farmworkers are not invisible, but they’re a part of our humanity.”
Closing out the speeches was Tabasa Gardens resident Yizdrel Adan-Aldana, who was raised in Watsonville by a farmworker family until the family lost its home Feb. 1. She became homeless while also raising her son.
“It was a huge blessing to be called and for me, myself and my child to call this beautiful place now home,” she said.
As a single parent, Adan-Aldana said she has had to work two jobs but still struggled to pay rent.
“This made it happen for me where I could provide for my family,” she said.
