This week, the City of Modesto was awarded an additional $1.7 million dollars for a new housing project called James Street Apartments. The City of Modesto in partnership with Center for Human Services was recently awarded $3.9 million dollars in State Project Homekey funds to convert a downtown commercial building into 14 units of supportive housing for homeless youth and youth at-risk of homelessness.
“The city is excited to receive funding for another successful Project Homekey site. This project will serve some of the most vulnerable homeless individuals in our community who deal with serious mental health issues and substance abuse with permanent housing and intensive case management” says Jessica Hill, Community Development Manager.
Homekey 2.0 funds must be used to provide housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The James Street Apartments project is a seven unit, newly constructed complex that will provide permanent supportive housing for Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) clients who are at risk or experiencing homelessness. Household income eligibility for the James St. Apartments shall not exceed the 30 percent AMI. The main goal is to assist individuals with successfully retaining long-term housing.
The competitive application was a collaborative effort led by the City of Modesto in partnership with two local nonprofits, Stanislaus Equity Partners (STEP) and Stanislaus County Affordable Housing Corporation (STANCO). STEP is a newly formed community development corporation working to connect neighbors, resources, and opportunities. They partner with disinvested communities of Stanislaus County to build greater access to housing and small business services. STEP was established with the support of several local stakeholders, including a feasibility study grant provided by the Stanislaus Community Foundation.
STANCO has demonstrated a successful track record in providing transitional and permanent supportive housing to persons with mental health disabilities, as well as owning and operating housing units at rents below market rates for persons who meet certain income eligibility as required by various governmental regulatory agreements. STANCO also has extensive experience with property management and will provide property management services to the James Street Apartments Project.
“Our residents experiencing homelessness are in desperate need of help,” said Mayor Sue Zwahlen. “The City continues to find new ways to find new housing opportunities, and I am grateful for the continued efforts of staff and our partnerships with the State of California”