Client News

Long-term funding for Fairview Housing Complex has been secured by the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey.

The funding comes from a federal program called the Project-Based Voucher Program. The financial support ensures the project's sustainability for the next 20 years.

The 46-unit property is designed to serve individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The complex was formerly the Fairview Inn, but after a full renovation, the building opened as a transitional housing facility in March.

The total acquisition cost for the Fairview project was $8 million, a collaborative effort with the California Department of Housing and Community Development, city of Salinas and Monterey County Health Department.

In addition to housing, Fairview provides "wrap-around services," like food, case management and support for addiction and mental health challenges. Residents will also be assisted in developing individualized Housing Stability Plans and will receive support finding employment.

After the facility was opened, grant funding came from the city of Salinas to provide 12 months of rental subsidy assistance for residents at the site.

Later, the housing authority identified the federal project-based voucher program and approved a 20-year Project Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contract application for the Fairview project.

In order to use the federal funding however, the housing authority first had to work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the city of Salinas to restructure the project's funding structure.

Under federal funding regulations, Project Based Voucher rental assistance funding cannot be layered with HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) rental assistance funding – which Fairview previously received – for the same eligible costs.

To resolve this, last Tuesday, the Salinas City Council reallocated $1,190,337 of the National Opioid Settlement Fund to Fairview and directed the HOME-ARP funding to to support Salinas Outreach and Response Team supportive services.

"This funding restructuring creates a much stronger long-term foundation for Fairview and helps ensure the project remains financially sustainable for years to come," said Zulieka Boykin, executive director for the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey in a prepared statement.

"We appreciate the city of Salinas and our community partners for their continued support and shared commitment to creating stable housing solutions for vulnerable residents in our community," said Boykin.

Because of the funding restructuring process, residents had to temporarily pause their move ins. With the funding changes approved, the housing authority is now preparing to begin lease-up activities and resident move-ins. Currently, there are 10 residents ready to move in.

Leasing and coordinated housing placement will be managed by the County of Monterey Coalition of Homeless Service providers.

At the ribbon cutting event for the complex on March 5, Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue said the progress made by the Fairview project is a key part of the city's goals to address the local housing issue, but said there is more work to be done.

"Specific to the homelessness and transitional housing issue, this is a good next step," Donohue said.