Highlights of 2011
Development activity at eight properties will create 173 new units as well as preserve and improve 219 units of housing, all of it permanently affordable for the next 30–55 years and service-enriched.
- Erna P. Harris Court, Berkeley – construction is just about complete on the rehabilitation and the residents are back in their apartments and making use of the expanded facilities
- 720 E 11th, Oakland – we began construction in March 2011 and expect to complete the 55-unit project in July 2012
- The Ambassador, Emeryville – received a tax credit allocation in September and we are on target to begin construction of this 69-unit project in March 2012
- Berrellesa Palms, Martinez – the financing is being assembled and we expect that it will move toward construction in 2012
- University Ave Homes, Berkeley – the scope of work and architectural plans are substantially complete and we expect to complete the financing and move toward construction start in 2012
- University Ave Coop, Berkeley – architectural design is underway and will take into account extensive energy use analysis; funding is partially complete
- Riley Court, Concord – the first phase of a two-part rehabilitation is under construction, addressing improvements to ventilation, landscaping, and site lighting
- Drachma Housing, Inc., Oakland – we completed the first phase of exterior rehabilitation work and will begin the second phase of interior improvements by the end of 2011
We identified two new properties for development, which will add 147 units of affordable housing.
- The Alameda Islander, Alameda – will convert a blighted motel to 62 units of workforce housing; the project received significant city and county funding, tax credits in June 2011, and will begin construction by the end of 2011
- Ashland Family Housing, unincorporated Alameda County – will provide approximately 85 units of new multi-family housing; we’ve acquired the site and are working through the pre-development process
In Resident Services, we continued to provide onsite services tailored to the needs of residents. One-on-one meetings focus on a range of issues, including rent payment and personal finances, career advancement and job search, social security and veteran’s benefits, and crisis intervention and conflict resolution. This counseling helped families retain their housing when they hit bumps in the road and pointed them toward resources in the community.
We offered nearly 100 different community building activities, part of our strategy to promote self-sufficiency. Well over half of our residents participated in workshops and social activities such as English as a Second Language classes, medication and blood pressure screening, budget and financial literacy training, soup nights, holiday celebrations, and movie nights. Financial literacy classes, a free lunch program, and activities to support achievement at school enhanced our summer program at Fox Courts. At The Harrison, a comprehensive program in partnership with the City of Oakland and Lifelong Medical Care included health care and counseling, as well as social activities and workshops. Seniors, youth, people with special needs, families, and individuals benefit from flexible programming that was targeted and effective.