The City of Auburn, Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Housing California Break Ground on LEED Certified Senior Housing

Mercy Housing California broke ground on Mercy Auburn Senior Community on approximately three acres of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Auburn campus. Mercy Auburn will feature 60 one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors in Auburn. The campus includes a retreat center, conference facilities, assisted living, and other amenities that serve as the Sisters’ regional headquarters.

The three-story building is LEED certified and designed to integrate into the campus’ serene natural environment. Property amenities will include a community kitchen, computer lab, conference room and library for community events, a large terrace, a bocce-ball court and other outdoor gathering spaces. Construction of the new apartments began in the Fall of 2012 and is projected for completion in Fall 2013.

Construction Begins for Coastside Senior Community in Half Moon Bay, California

To commemorate the beginning of construction of Coastside Senior Community & Adult Day Community Center, residents of Half Moon Bay, Mercy Housing California and key partners and officials gathered on November 9, 2012 for a groundbreaking celebration.

In partnership with Lesley Senior Communities, Mercy Housing California is developing a new three-story mixed use building in Half Moon Bay which will include 40 affordable rental apartments for seniors and an adult day health center. This collaborative effort is a key component of the “Half Moon Bay Senior Campus Plan,” a County-supported plan to integrate multiple senior housing developments with on-site services for seniors. Completion of Coastside Senior Community is expected in the beginning of 2014.

Speakers and supporters included Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Assemblyman Jerry Hill, Supervisor Don Horsley, Mayor Allan Alifano, Duane Bay of the San Mateo County Department of Housing, Gabriel Speyer from Bank of America  and Cindy Labuda of Mia Vita LLC.

Honoring Veterans and Breaking Ground in El Monte, California

As the nation honored our military personnel on Veterans Day 2012, the City of El Monte and Mercy Housing California broke ground on the El Monte Veterans Apartments. The new three-story building will provide 40 energy-efficient apartments for low-income and formerly homeless veterans.

El Monte Veterans Apartments addresses the growing rate of homelessness among veterans who struggle with uniquely high rates of unemployment and destabilizing mental and physical disabilities. Mercy Housing is partnering with New Directions, which will provide a range of services including case management, health and wellness programming, benefits claims assistance, legal services and substance abuse and recovery support. El Monte Veteran Apartments is located near downtown, services, businesses, transit, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars facility as well as employment opportunities. Completion of El Monte Veterans Apartments is expected in Fall 2013.

Financial partners include US Bank, Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles, the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles,The City of El Monte, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, The California Endowment and Enterprise Foundation.

Speakers included Congresswoman Judy Chu, Assemblymember Mike Eng, Tiena Johnson Hall of US Bank, Gigi Szabo of New Directions and Ray Brewer of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Watch local news coverage of this event.

The Rehabilitation and Expansion of The Madonna Residence is Complete

The renovation and expansion of The Madonna Residence is complete. Previously owned and operated by the St. Anthony Foundation, The Madonna includes 69 studio apartments serving extremely low-income seniors and veterans –all of which are now fully occupied. The building is in a service rich environment, with a ground floor adult day health clinic operated by Stepping Stone.

Mercy Housing California would like to thank the ladies of The Madonna Residence for their patience, flexibility and most of all, trust during the construction and rehabilitation of their home.

The celebration of the completion is expected in early 2013. Learn more about this project here.

Rehabilitation of Historic Arlington Hotel Nears Completion

The rehabilitation of the Arlington Hotel, located on 480 Ellis Street in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, is nearing completion. The Arlington was one of the first buildings constructed after the 1906 earthquake and fire.

The renovation of The Arlington raises the standard of living for residents and facilitates greater independence and self-sufficiency. The improvements strengthen the building’s structure and address seismic vulnerabilities. The four-story building includes the addition of private kitchenettes, baths and toilets in each of the 173 single-room occupancy apartments. Residents now have access to community space and services, a new elevator, bike storage, on-site laundry facilities and a small urban garden. The historic façade of The Arlington will remain intact.

In addition to physical alterations, Mercy Housing California provides resident services and activities. Off-site case management is provided by the Department of Public Health. Completion is expected in early 2013. Learn more about this project here.