|  |  | CURRENT LEASE-UPS | Monroe Commons in Santa Clara 2330 Monroe Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Miramontes in Redwood City 1304 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94063
Housing Choices will continue submitting applications for interested clients for the IDD units at Monroe Commons and Miramontes Apartments until the properties are fully leased up. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to apply, please reach out to us through email and let us know your name, phone number, interested property, and the best time to call you. | | UPCOMING LEASE-UPS | The Meridian in Sunnyvale 397 S. Mathilda Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Formerly referred to as Block 15, The Meridian in Sunnyvale is now anticipated to begin leasing this winter, following a delay related to the property and its partnership with PG&E. The development will have a full-time, on-site manager and staff to manage the property. Residents living in the IDD units will receive personalized services based on their assessed needs. Portable Section 8 vouchers and other tenant-based rental programs are welcome.
The Meridian in Santa Clara
3941 Stevens Creek Boulevard Santa Clara , CA 95051 This large family housing development will have a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom units wrapped around a central podium courtyard. The building will be six stories, with five stories of residential units located over ground floor garage parking and residential amenity space. 11 units with Section 811 rental subsidies Only available to Extremely Low Income (15-30% AMI) households that include a disabled adult between 18-61 years old. Must have a qualifying disability Must have valid Medi-Cal And must also be either: Moving from an institution or at risk of becoming institutionalized Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Individuals moving from a licensed residential facility (i.e group home) may also be considered.
|  | | UPCOMING EVENTS |  | 📅 Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm 📌 Jefferson High School, 6996 Mission Street, Daly City
We have partnered with the Housing Leadership Council and Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD) to organize a Community BBQ, rallying support for the Serramonte Del Rey redevelopment. Following the BBQ, we'll head to the neighborhood for canvassing, spreading the word about this inclusive housing project.
The Serramonte Del Rey redevelopment project involves a collaboration between JUHSD and affordable housing developers Eden Housing & Core Companies. Together, they aim to rejuvenate the current district, transforming it into a dynamic neighborhood with trails, shops, and parks. The plan includes: Creating up to 1,235 new homes, including affordable homes for families and people with developmental and other disabilities Doubling the current green spaces and adding new walking and biking route Rebuilding and improving the Head Start Childcare program with dedicated classroom space Relocating the current demonstration garden on site and transforming it into a Community Garden that will be publicly available
IDD Units The Serramonte Del Rey Redevelopment project features a dedicated section with 24 units for individuals with I/DD. These residents will receive supportive services from Housing Choices and GGRC.
For a deeper understanding of the project's scope and positive impact on Daly City, visit the project’s website.
Unable to join us at the BBQ? Support the project virtually by taking the online survey. Let the city know you stand for affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities!
This project requires approval from Daly City's community leaders. Your support is crucial in turning these much-needed housing units into a reality.
Without community voices advocating for the project, we risk losing these vital housing units for individuals with developmental disabilities in Daly City. Your input matters—act now! | | BOS Meeting: Support Permanent Supportive Housing in Millbrae | 📅 Tuesday, September 12, 2023 | 9:00am – 1:00pm 📍 400 County Center Redwood City, CA, US or Zoom
Are you or someone you know experiencing homelessness in San Mateo County? It's a harsh reality that many individuals with intellectual disabilities face limited government income support, soaring rental costs and inadequate supportive housing options.
But now is the time for action!
A new Homekey project is on the horizon, aiming to transform the La Quinta Inn & Suites at 1390 El Camino Real in Millbrae into 99 units of supportive housing. This project will be accompanied by essential services designed to cater to the unique qualities, needs, and cultural preferences of youth and families.
Homekey, a statewide government initiative, is at the forefront of acquiring existing buildings and repurposing them into interim or permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness or those at risk. Considering the significant overlap between the IDD community and the homeless population, this project offers numerous advantages. It expands housing options for vulnerable populations, increasing the likelihood of finding suitable living arrangements tailored to specific needs.
But we can't make this happen without your support. Join us in the fight for 100 permanent supportive housing units in Millbrae. The funding for this transformative project will be up for consideration at an upcoming meeting, and we need as many supportive voices as possible.
We encourage you to share your housing story at the meeting and explain why permanent supportive housing is crucial for people with developmental disabilities battling homelessness. This is a unique opportunity to express your unwavering support for permanent supportive housing in San Mateo and advocate for your needs.
We invite you to participate in person if possible, but if that's not feasible, remote participation via Zoom will also be an option.
You can also take action by sending an Email to the Board of Supervisors. If you’re an organization, you can Send a Formal Letter to the Board of Supervisors on your letterhead. Check out the entire meeting details and agenda.
Together, we can make a difference and provide a brighter future for those in need.
Learn more about the project here, and let's work together to create positive change in our community.
| | | PAST EVENTS |  | | National Night Out | Our clients are proudly posing with their gift card prizes from Starbucks that they won during the National Night Out event at Villa Esperanza Apartments and Jasmine Square Apartments earlier this month.
National Night Out is an annual get-together hosted by property management, Resident Coordinators, and other supportive service providers at our Partner Properties on the first Tuesday of August.
Our clients enjoyed mingling with fellow residents, playing games, connecting with our staff, and fostering that wonderful sense of unity and belonging that makes our community truly special.
Events like these highlight the profound impact that a supportive circle can have on someone with a developmental disability.
“My favorite part of National Night Out is seeing residents participate in activities that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in during the year,” said Resident Coordinator Adriana Robles.
Adriana helps Housing Choices clients at Via Esperanza and Jasmine Square Apartments in San Jose submit annual paperwork required by the Property Manager, address any emerging issues that could affect their housing stability, and provide overall comfort to their circle of support.
She especially had fun tie dying t-shirts with residents and hosting a contest for who makes the best chili. “It’s such a fun way to bring individuals together and promote a sense of community!” said Adriana. | | Estancia Apartments Resident BBQ |  | On August 30th, Resident Coordinators Rothar Ly and Ofelia Arruiza hosted their monthly resident gathering at Estancia Apartments in Santa Clara. This month's event featured a BBQ with classic American cheeseburgers, crispy chips, refreshing drinks, and delightful company.
Breaking away from his usual paperwork and phone calls, Rothar stepped up to the “plate” as the BBQ chef for the evening, skillfully seasoning burgers and roasting hot dogs in the sizzling summer heat. Despite his busy responsibilities as a Resident Coordinator, where he ensures the safety and happiness of all our clients, he enjoys organizing these gatherings. "It builds community and allows them to have free time, giving them an opportunity to connect with people," shared Rothar.
These events hold a special place in the hearts of many of our residents. Housing Choices client and Estancia Apartments resident Sharol Yearick (pictured below in a blue jacket) had eagerly awaited the BBQ at the community gathering area since 1 pm that day, even though the BBQ event didn't start until 5 pm, a testament to her excitement.
As we continue to witness the positive impact of such gatherings on our clients, we invite you to consider supporting Housing Choices through donations and community involvement. Your contributions will enable us to host more events like these, providing invaluable emotional and community support to those we serve. Together, we can empower our clients and nurture a sense of social belonging beyond their day-to-day routines. | |
“I am happy and excited I am here at the BBQ. I wish my roomate was here too,” said Estancia Apartments resident Cheryl Yearick |
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| | | Burlingame's Step Towards Attentive Housing Policies: Newest Draft Housing Element | Burlingame's latest draft housing element now commits to eliminate parking requirements for ADA-accessible homes (as stated on page 167). This decision not only marks a promising leap towards more attentive housing policies but also exemplifies the profound impact of advocacy efforts within the IDD community.
A housing element is a vital component of a city or municipality's general plan, serving as a roadmap that outlines how a community intends to address its housing needs over a defined period, typically spanning eight years. This plan encompasses policies, strategies, and objectives designed to promote housing development and affordability, all while adhering to state housing laws and regulations.
By eliminating parking requirements for ADA-accessible homes for builders, Burlingame is addressing several critical issues that have long plagued housing development in urban areas. First, this change reduces construction costs significantly, which can make housing more affordable for residents. Parking facilities can be astonishingly expensive to build and maintain, and the space they occupy could instead be utilized for additional housing units. Removing these requirements, therefore, frees up valuable land and financial resources that can be redirected towards creating more housing options.
Moreover, the commitment to eliminating parking requirements acknowledges the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. Many ADA-accessible home occupants do not drive and, therefore, do not require parking spaces. This change ensures that housing options cater to the needs of this often underserved demographic, promoting inclusivity and accessibility within the community.
By reducing regulatory barriers like parking requirements, builders can expedite the construction process, bringing housing units to the market more quickly. This, in turn, helps increase the overall housing supply, potentially stabilizing or lowering housing costs, and providing much-needed relief in a time when housing affordability is a significant concern.
Burlingame's commitment to eliminating parking requirements for ADA-accessible homes represents a promising shift towards more sustainable housing policies. This decision, partly made possible by the advocacy efforts of organizations like Housing Choices, demonstrates the significant impact of collective voices championing change and highlights that advocating for specific needs within the IDD community can indeed shape the housing landscape effectively. | Our Farewells to Kalisha Webster |  |
As the saying goes, all good things must come to a close to make way for better things to unfold. This month, we bid farewell to our dedicated Senior Housing Advocate, Kalisha Webster.
Kalisha has worked with our many self-advocates, their family members, and service providers for more than 3 years, initially as a Housing Coordinator in San Mateo County and most recently as the Senior Housing Advocate. Her mission has been to advocate for more inclusive housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Her work has resulted in the growth of our future pipeline of new Partner Properties, which now includes 23 new inclusive projects which will provide over 400 new affordable homes in the Counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Monterey, and Santa Cruz to people with developmental disabilities over the next 5 years.
She also led efforts to ensure that cities and counties commit to creating additional affordable housing opportunities for people with developmental and other disabilities in their long-term housing plans or Housing Elements, so that even after she is gone we will continue to see more affordable housing opportunities proposed for many years to come, beyond the 400+ new homes already committed.
In her new role as Associate Director at Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, Kalisha will continue to support the fight for more inclusive communities and abundant housing for people of all incomes, races, and abilities.
“None of this is possible without people like you sharing your personal experiences of trying to find housing with your community leaders," encourages Kalisha.
Only by stepping up to let your elected leaders and other members of the community know that people with developmental disabilities want to live independently and inclusively in the communities they grew up in, but are often excluded because of the high price of housing, will we continue to see much-needed change in our communities. Despite all that we have accomplished, less than 12% of adults with developmental disabilities are living independently in the Counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey. This is not by choice but because of the lack of deeply affordable housing being planned in our communities.
“I hope to see you all continue to show up and show out to make sure your community leaders know that people with developmental disabilities deserve the dignity to choose how and where they want to live, and that it is up to them to make sure they are creating homes for everybody in the community,” advocates Kalisha.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can support our new Partner Properties, please contact our Executive Director Dennise Jauregui at dennise@housingchoices.org. | | | With appreciation,
Todd Marans
Board Chair
Dennise Jauregui
Executive Director |
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