For years, many Yorba Linda residents have driven past the church parking lot near Yorba Linda Boulevard and Liverpool Street without thinking much about it. Now, that familiar corner is becoming part of a bigger local housing conversation. A new community called Solana Walk is planned for 4861 Liverpool Street, on a portion of the Messiah Lutheran Church property, and it is expected to bring 40 new townhomes to the area.

What makes Solana Walk especially interesting is the mix of market-rate townhomes, below-market-rate affordable homes, and a lottery process that could give qualified Yorba Linda residents and workers priority placement. Some details may change as the project moves forward, but here is what buyers and residents should know right now.

The Familiar Yorba Linda Corner Getting a New Chapter

Solana Walk is planned near the northwest corner of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Liverpool Street, on a 1.9-acre portion of the Messiah Lutheran Church property. CEQAnet, California’s official environmental review database, describes the project as a subdivision for 40 single-family residential condominium units on the southernmost portion of the church property.

Orange County Business Journal reported that The Olson Company purchased the 1.9-acre church parking lot for about $8.21 million and received a $35 million construction loan for the project. The same report described Solana Walk as a 40-townhome community with 32 market-rate homes and 8 affordable homes for moderate-income households.

Who Is Building Solana Walk?

The City of Yorba Linda’s Major Projects List identifies Olson Urban Housing, LLC as the applicant for Solana Walk. Orange County Business Journal also connects the project to The Olson Company, a Seal Beach-based developer.

Solana Walk was approved by the Planning Commission on January 14, 2026. It also mentions early site-related work, including decommissioning the church’s corner water fountain and relocating signage and a cross sculpture. That does not mean homes are ready for buyers yet, but it does show that the project has moved past the early discussion stage.

As top-performing real estate experts in Yorba Linda and Orange County, we’ve seen how quickly buyers start asking questions once a project moves from “proposed” to “actually happening.” With Solana Walk, the biggest questions right now are about timing, pricing, eligibility, and how the lottery may work.

What Kind of Homes Are Planned at Solana Walk?

Solana Walk is expected to include 40 three-story townhomes with attached garages, based on public reporting and project information currently available. The development is planned as a mix of market-rate homes and affordable units, but final buyer-facing details may continue to evolve before sales begin.

Market-Rate Townhomes

The majority of the project is expected to be market-rate housing. Orange County Business Journal reported that 32 of the 40 homes will be market-rate residences. Local reporting has also stated that the market-rate homes are expected to include a mix of three-bedroom and four-bedroom units.

For buyers, the important thing to remember is that pricing, floor plans, HOA costs, release dates, and model home details should not be treated as final until official builder materials are released. New construction projects often unfold in stages, and the early information gives buyers a helpful preview, not the full playbook.

Below-Market-Rate Homes

The 8 affordable homes are expected to be sold below market price to qualifying moderate-income households. Local reporting states that these homes are expected to include four one-bedroom, 1.5-bath units of about 972 square feet and four two-bedroom, 2.5-bath units of about 1,208 square feet.

That same reporting also states that the affordable units are tied to 45-year affordability covenants, which means future resale rules and buyer qualifications may apply. Anyone interested in these homes should rely on official City of Yorba Linda announcements and formal program documents before making plans.

How the Affordable Housing Lottery May Work

The lottery is probably the part of Solana Walk that people will talk about most. Local reporting says the 8 below-market-rate units will be offered through a lottery process, with the developer creating an interest list that separates the general public from people who live or work in Yorba Linda. Yorba Linda residents and workers would receive priority placement before remaining homes are offered to the broader list.

Lottery details can change, and official requirements matter. Application windows, documentation, income qualifications, financing rules, local preference rules, resale restrictions, and deadlines should all be confirmed through the City of Yorba Linda or official program materials when they become available.

What “Moderate Income” Means in Orange County

The California Department of Housing and Community Development publishes annual income limits used for many affordable housing programs. For 2026, HCD lists Orange County’s moderate-income limits at $116,400 for a one-person household, $133,050 for two people, $149,650 for three people, and $166,300 for four people. Income limits increase with household size and are updated over time.

Those numbers help explain why the word “affordable” can look different in Orange County than it does in other markets. Qualifying for a program is not based on income alone, either. Buyers may also need to meet financing, occupancy, documentation, and program-specific rules.

What Has Been Reported About the Down Payment

Local reporting has stated that the affordable units may require a 5% down payment. That detail is important, but buyers should still verify it through official city or program documents before assuming they qualify or planning around that number.

We’ve helped buyers throughout Yorba Linda and Orange County understand that affordable housing programs can come with very specific details. The opportunity may sound exciting, but the requirements matter just as much as the headline.

Why This Church Property Can Become Housing

One reason Solana Walk is able to move forward is connected to zoning. Orange County Business Journal reported that the project is part of a broader trend of developers working with churches and other faith-based landowners to create housing on underused land. The article also notes that Yorba Linda voters approved a local version allowing higher-density housing on certain church properties. 

The City’s Major Projects List identifies the site as falling under the Congregational Overlay Zone. In simple terms, this type of local zoning framework can allow certain church-owned properties to be used for residential development under specific rules, which helps explain why this specific site is being discussed for housing. 

Where Construction and Timing Stand Now

Orange County Business Journal reported in June 2026 that grading had begun at the site and that model homes were expected to open in April 2027. That gives buyers a general sense of the timeline, but new construction schedules can shift for many reasons, including permits, inspections, utility work, labor availability, financing, weather, and city processes.

Buyers watching Solana Walk should keep an eye on official builder updates, city announcements, and any future application information related to the affordable housing lottery.

What Buyers Should Watch Next

The biggest things to watch are final home prices, model home opening dates, floor plans, HOA costs, sales release schedules, affordable housing lottery instructions, income eligibility requirements, and any resale or occupancy restrictions attached to the affordable units.

For market-rate buyers, Solana Walk may eventually become a new-construction option in an established part of Yorba Linda. For buyers interested in the affordable units, the next step is to wait for official application instructions and confirm every requirement through the City of Yorba Linda or formal program materials.

A Local Project Worth Following Carefully

Solana Walk Yorba Linda is the kind of project that naturally gets people talking because it touches several local issues at once: new construction, church-owned land, affordability, buyer demand, and limited housing supply in an established Orange County city. Some details are already publicly available, while others are still unfolding.

Thinking about buying, selling, or staying informed about Yorba Linda real estate? Contact The Edie Israel Team for local guidance, neighborhood insight, and a clearer understanding of how projects like Solana Walk may fit into the broader Orange County housing market.

FAQs

What is Solana Walk Yorba Linda?

Solana Walk Yorba Linda is a planned 40-townhome community at 4861 Liverpool Street, near Yorba Linda Boulevard and Liverpool Street, on a portion of the Messiah Lutheran Church property.

Who is building Solana Walk?

The City of Yorba Linda lists Olson Urban Housing, LLC as the applicant. Orange County Business Journal reported that The Olson Company is connected to the project and received a $35 million construction loan.

How many affordable homes are planned?

The project is expected to include 8 below-market-rate affordable homes and 32 market-rate homes.

Who may qualify for the affordable homes?

The affordable homes are expected to be for moderate-income households. For 2026, California HCD lists Orange County’s moderate-income limit at $116,400 for one person, $133,050 for two people, $149,650 for three people, and $166,300 for four people. Buyers should confirm all eligibility rules through official city or program materials.

Will Yorba Linda residents and workers get priority?

Local reporting has stated that people who live or work in Yorba Linda may receive priority placement in the lottery process. This should be confirmed through official City of Yorba Linda announcements when application details are released.

When will Solana Walk open?

Orange County Business Journal reported that model homes were expected to open in April 2027, but timelines can change as construction moves forward.

About The Edie Israel Team

The Edie Israel Team helps buyers and sellers throughout Yorba Linda and Orange County make confident real estate decisions with local market knowledge, careful planning, and personalized guidance. Their accomplishments include $70M+ in closed sales volume in 2025, 160+ five-star Google reviews, 210+ verified five-star Zillow reviews, and recognition as a Top-Ranked Agent on FastExpert.

Whether you are relocating, buying your first home, upgrading, or preparing to sell, The Edie Israel Team provides the local insight needed to understand both the market and the lifestyle. For buyers watching projects like Solana Walk Yorba Linda, that kind of hyperlocal guidance can make it easier to understand what is officially known, what is still developing, and what questions to ask next.