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The Sisters of St. Joseph’s Motherhouse is now affordable housing for many

June 4, 2025

Almost 15 years ago, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the order reflected on ways to partner with others to serve those members of the community who were most in need.

In Orange County, the need they saw centered around the homeless community, where 30% of the unhoused population is over the age of 55.

Villa St. Joseph in Orange, a low-income senior housing community, is dedicated on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in the lush courtyard of what used to be the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sister Louise Micek gets choked up while touring the historic Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Orange on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. She worked on the third floor from 1996 to 2015 as the director of a women’s homeless shelter. “I guess I’m emotional because we’re on to a better phase,” she said of the building’s transformation into a 50-unit affordable housing community for seniors. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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In line with their mission to “adapt to the needs of the time and offer a compassionate presence to the people they serve,” the Sisters gave their own home to house others. They partnered with Mercy Housing, county agencies and other groups to transform the order’s Motherhouse, built in 1958, into an affordable housing community for low-income seniors.

The new community is aptly named Villa St. Joseph, and its completion was celebrated this week with a dedication in the courtyard adjacent to the repurposed Motherhouse. The apartments are now part of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s larger 11-acre campus next to Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange.

The three-story 50-unit community features 43 one-bedroom units, six studios and one two-bedroom unit.

Residents will have access to support services, adult education and health and wellness programs.

“We know, don’t we, that at this time in history the need for affordable housing is paramount, and we can think of no better way to help than to share what we have, and what we no longer need, with others,” said Sister Mary Beth Ingham, general superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. “We sisters have loved this building, our former Motherhouse. It holds rich memories for many of us who walked through these doors to begin our religious life. Throughout our history here in Orange, our loving God has blessed us and St. Joseph continues to inspire us to be generous with everything we have.”

The building had stopped being used as a permanent residence for the sisters in 2015.

The $38 million renovation was funded through public-private partnerships, including $16.3 million from UnitedHealth Group, $6.1 million from Orange County, $5.6 million from the state, and $5.7 million from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.

“I got very humbled because I’m a product of everyone sitting here right now,” Richard Protheroe, a Villa St. Joseph resident who was formerly homeless, told those gathered at the dedication. “Those that donated the money, all those that contribute to getting me housed, I’m a product of all the hard work you guys have done.”

As the operator of Villa St. Joseph, Mercy Housing is partnering with the OC Health Care Agency to provide the formerly homeless residents with a variety of services, including crisis intervention, case management and substance abuse services.

“We take care of some of the most vulnerable people,” said Ian Kemmer, behavioral health director of the OC Health Care Agency. “Folks who are struggling with mental health conditions and substance use conditions. That first year really is critical as our tenants adjust to their new homes.”

Resident Michael Arambula, 66, grew up and attended elementary school in Orange.

As a landscape architect, Arambula said he traveled around the county for work and lived in Utah for 17 years before a medical condition brought him back to Orange County.

Arambula wound up homeless for three months, sleeping in his car and in shelters until his caseworker introduced him to Villa St. Joseph.

“We went up to the third floor to a studio and she said, ‘Would you like to live here?’” said Arambula. “I said yeah. And I tried and I’m here. It’s perfect.”

The Sisters of St. Joseph’s Motherhouse is now affordable housing for many Orange County Register

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The Sisters of St. Joseph’s Motherhouse is now affordable housing for many

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