Client News
Former hotel transformed into supportive housing in Salinas
A former motel in Salinas has been transformed into permanent supportive housing.
Housing Authority County of Monterey (HACM) celebrated the grand opening of the Fairview housing complex on March 5 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries, representatives of state and federal elected officials, and the many partner agencies that helped bring the multi-year project to life.
"There are people in our community that have a need and this Fairview housing complex is going to give somebody hope," said Kathleen Ballesteros, HACM Board of Directors chair. "All of you worked together as partners to give somebody hope in our community."
The former hotel at 1030 Fairview Ave. has been renovated by HACM into a 46-unit housing development, including eight ADA-compliant units. All units come partially furnished and with a kitchenette. Tenants will be families and individuals experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.
Tenants will be given 12-month leases, with the option to renew each year.
Speakers laud coordinated effort
Referring to a social media trend where people post what they were doing in 2016, Dominic Dursa, representing Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas told the crowd what was not happening in Monterey County 10 years ago.
"This would not have been going on in 2016, but about 10 years ago—give or take—Supervisor Alejo remembers, the county and the City of Salinas came together and said, 'we've got to start working better on projects just like this," Dursa said. "That is why you saw the SHARE center get built and why you saw projects come online in Seaside and Monterey, and why you are hearing about projects in King City and soon in Soledad, because when there was a challenge, it was met with the kind of collaboration the Speaker prizes."
A project Homekey property, the $8 million project was financed through a mix of local, state and federal funds.
The city of Salinas allocated $1,330,263 in PLHA (Permanent Local Housing Allocation) funds and $1,169,737 in PIP (Prohousing Incentive Program) funds. Monterey County Health Department allocated $2.5 million and Department of Housing and Community Development Homekey/Multifamily Housing Program $3 million, according to the Housing Authority.
The Housing Authority County of Monterey is the owner and property manager of the complex.
Neighbors speak at prior community meeting
During a Feb. 19 community meeting nearby residents voiced concerns about security and property upkeep to housing authority and city staff, which hosted the meeting with Councilman Tony Barrera. Mayra Zesati, Director of Property Management for the Housing Authority said the complex will be staffed and a surveillance system had already been installed.
"One of the units will be dedicated to a full-time on-site manager—somebody that is going to be employed by the Housing Authority that will live there at the property, and they will be there to address any concerns after hours," said Zesati to the roughly 15 people in the multipurpose room at Los Padres Elementary School. "We'll have maintenance personnel and the property manager to perform the operations and day to day administration of the property."
She added: "Operations include maintenance of the building, management of the complex, including unit inspections, inspection of the property, curb appeal and any lease violations or evictions."
Housing staff also assured neighbors that tenants will be under case management and receiving wrap-around, supportive services.
'A hub of coordination'
At Thursday's event, Julius Mills-Denti, Director of Central California for Step-up, the organization that will be providing the supportive services at Fairview, said there will be a "team of case managers here working with every person who lives on site."
"A lot of our staff have had long-standing relationships with many of the clients already so the transition into here will hopefully be pretty seamless," he said.
Case management, he added, includes vocational support and income support of a variety of fronts.
"It could be helping someone get their social security income, preparing applications for a job and other employment services or getting someone with zero income connected to DSS, and they can start getting their general assistance or Cal Works," Mills-Denti said. "We'll work closely with the property manager on lease compliance, eviction prevention, mental health linkage, and make sure everybody sees their doctor."
Mills-Denti said health practitioners may come to the site to meet with clients individually as well as visiting nurses to do a basic health and wellness check.
"This spot will be like a hub of coordination with a lot of agencies who can help meet their needs," said Mills-Denti. "Every client will also have an individual service plan."
About Housing Authority of the County of Monterey
Created in 1941, The Housing Authority of the County or Monterey (HACM) is a locally controlled public agency that leverages funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other sources to provide affordable housing and rental assistance to low-income families throughout Monterey County. HACM partners with a broad spectrum of community non-profits, city and county agencies, and state organizations to address affordable housing and housing shortage issues. The organization provides a variety of housing and services through: The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8), Farm Labor Housing and Tax Credit and other affordable housing programs. HACM is the primary provider of rental assistance to low-income families throughout Monterey County, and currently serves 7,816 individuals through the Housing Choice Voucher Program. HACM also owns and manages affordable housing properties. HACM currently owns 11 properties and manages 55 properties. The total number of units is 1,274, which serves 9,076 county residents.