On Monday, the Pittsburg City Council will look to approve a Joint Application to participate in Project Homekey that could bring 14 income restricted housing units for young adults to the city.
Update: During the Pittsburg city Council meeting, staff pulled the item and requested the hear it at a later date. No reason was given on why the item was pulled.
The homes would be designed for at-risk and homeless young adults between 18-25 years of age.
According to the Staff Report, the potential city council action would authorize the City Manager to submit an application to HCD for Homekey funding, but does not allocate any funding for design costs, construction, supportive services, or other administrative costs; it is anticipated that Hope Solutions would cover all costs associated with future development and continued operations of this project.
Hope Solutions is a non-profit coalition of faith-based organizations with the goal of providing emergency support to homeless individuals, including permanent supportive housing and individualized support services.
In April, Hope Solutions, along with the Church of the Nazarene, approached the City regarding a proposal to construct up to 14 single-family, detached residential units on excess property adjacent to the Church of the Nazarene, located at 5305 Kirker Pass Road.
Hope Solutions has also requested the City be a co-applicant on a Homekey application.
On May 19, 2023, this item, including more details on the proposed project, was presented to the Land Use Subcommittee. The Subcommittee was generally supportive of the project, including the coordinated application for Homekey funding.
Hope Solutions proposes to build, own, and operate a “cottage community” for homeless transition age youth, in partnership with Church of the Nazarene. The church, which currently occupies 2.65 acres of land, would allocate approximately 0.75-acres of an undeveloped portion of property for the project.
The community is planned to be comprised of 14 cottages with one services and property management office. The 14 homes will consist of 10 one-bedroom homes of approximately 425 square feet, and four two-bedroom homes of approximately 1,025 square feet. Hope Solutions will serve as the developer partner, owner, professional services provider, and property manager. If funded, Homekey would require a 55-year affordability and supportive services covenant.
While Hope Solutions is to secure funding for both construction capital and operating funding through HCD’s recent Homekey NOFA, to date, Hope Solutions has raised over $5 Million in private philanthropy to help close any capital funding gap. Hope Solutions has selected and is already collaborating with an experienced project manager, civil engineering firm, architecture firm and manufacturer of the proposed cottages.
Once the community has been built, Hope Solutions proposes to serve as the property manager and supportive services provider, including the screening and selection of new residents and leasing and providing critical case management supportive services.
Supportive services offered would include, but are not limited to, housing identification, including search, placement, lease negotiation, and ongoing tenancy management; flexible financial assistance for rent, deposits, and move-in support; and effective case management focused on housing stability, reducing tenancy barriers, life skill development and increasing family income. All units included in this project will be dedicated to homeless transition age youth, and tenants will pay 30% of their income toward rent.
The proposal would require the city or the city and the county, to develop and submit an application for the most recent round of funding for the “Homekey Program,” a grant program administered by HCD. HCD will accept applications through July 28, 2023, or until the available funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.
Prior to application submittal, staff will continue to work closely with HCD and Hope Solutions to identify a long-term operational plan and agreement, which will require City Council approval prior to execution.
- Staff Report: Click Here
- Village of Hope Plan: Community, Housing, and Supportive Services for Homeless Transition Age Youth (18-25) – click here
- Village of Hope Land Use Presentation – click here
