Housing Choices Coalition For Persons With Developmental Disabil

Programs: The organization values innovation in pursuit of housing alternatives that offer both independence and community, and pioneered the creation of the partner property model, as well as housing cooperatives for people with developmental disabilities. The organization has a solid record of achievement in its four program areas:housing development:the organization advocates with local jurisdictions and developers of affordable housing to designate a percentage of housing units for rent to people with developmental disabilities. (see schedule o for continuation)the organization has secured and now safeguards long-term commitments of 250 units of affordable housing at eighteen different partner properties for rent to people with developmental disabilities. These set-aside units were developed at a total cost of more than $100 million. In fiscal year 2016-2017, housing choices added another eden housing property, villa esperanza apartments in gilroy, to its portfolio of partner properties. Villa esperanza provides twenty units of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments to people with developmental disabilities, who pay rent of 30% of their household income. In fiscal year 2016-17, the city of sunnyvale approved a proposed 100-unit affordable housing project with 25% of the units set aside for people with developmental disabilities supported by housing choices, and the city of santa cruz approved a 46-unit affordable housing project with eight units set aside for people with developmental disabilities supported by housing choices. Also construction of an affordable housing development began in watsonville in fiscal year 2016-2017. When completed, this new project will include affordable one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for people with developmental disabilities supported by housing choices. Housing access:individuals with developmental disabilities turn to the organization for help in navigating the complex maze of affordable rental housing provided by multiple organizations with independent capitalists and different eligibility rules and procedures. Since 2002, the organization has provided individual housing advice to more than 4,000 people with developmental disabilities, and has moved more than 1,500 into affordable rental housing. In fiscal year 2016-2017, hcc supported more than 1,400 people with developmental disabilities create individual housing plans and apply for affordable housing and more than 140 were supported to move in to their own home. Housing stability:the organization promotes individual housing stability and safeguards the long-term availability of rental units at partner properties by providing onsite resident support services for 250 people with developmental disabilities. The organization helps residents with developmental disabilities understand and comply with lease terms and property rules, and prevents evictions by resolving problems with neighbors, roommates, and property managers. The organization sponsors regular workshops and social events for residents to foster leadership and create supportive communities of friends and neighbors. The organization estimates that at least 90% of the residents maintain housing stability for five years or more. During fiscal year 2016-2017, only two of the residents supported by housing choices moved out of a partner property because of lease violations or other tenant problems. Housing first case management for homeless people with developmental disabilities: in fiscal year 2016-2017, housing choices assisted a small but growing caseload of homeless people with developmental disabilities to remain safe, while helping them access emergency housing and other community resources and apply for permanent supportive housing. Housing choices is a member of the county of santa clara's continuum of care system, a coordinated effort to help homeless people with disabilities obtain permanent supportive housing. In fiscal year 2016-2017, we referred 25 homeless people with developmental disabilities to the santa clara county continuum of care's "community queue" for permanent supportive housing.