A Newsletter For Our Friends & Partners                                                    May 2009
 Housing Help Center Announced
As announced at a recent press conference, a new "one-stop shop" housing resource center will open July 1 at SDHC's downtown offices (pictured right).
 
Called Housing Help Here, the center will offer information and counseling related to foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, short sales, credit scores, renegotiating mortgage loans, home buyer assistance, renters' rights, and other matters. 
 
"For the first time, San Diegans will be able to get trustworthy help for a broad range of housing needs in a single location," said SDHC President & CEO Rick Gentry.
 
A unique public-private partnership, Housing Help Here was conceived of by San Diego City Council President Ben Hueso, and will be operated by the nonprofit Housing Opportunities Collaborative. Funding was provided by the offices of Hueso and Councilmembers Marti Emerald and Tony Young.
 
Click here to view San Diego 6 and NBC 7/39 news segments.

Funding Now Available for Purchasing and Renovating Foreclosed Properties

Home Buyer Opportunities: $6.1 million is available to help buyers purchase and renovate bank-owned homes through SDHC's new Neighborhood Stabilization Homeownership Program. The program provides financing in the form of zero-percent interest deferred loans of up to 17 percent of the purchase price, closing cost assistance grants of up to three percent of the purchase price, and (if the property needs repairs) zero-percent interest rehabilitation loans of up to $50,000 for homes located in targeted areas. To be eligible, buyers must earn no more than 120 percent of San Diego's Area Median Income (AMI).
 
Click here for more information or call 619.578.7491. 
 
Funding Notice: $2.1 Million For Affordable Housing Developers: SDHC, on behalf of the City of San Diego, has released a Notice of Funding Availability for Neighborhood Stabilization rental activities.
 
More than $2.1 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Funding is available to qualified for-profit and nonprofit developers, rehabilitators, and other organizations to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant or abandoned homes, in order to rent those homes to families earning 50 percent or less of AMI. The NOFA expires on Aug. 21, 2009.

Quick Links

Website: www.sdhc.org
Fact Sheet: What We Do

Success Story

From Intern to Chief Operating Officer 
 

SDHC helps over 500 individuals each year achieve career and educational goals - enabling housing assistance program clients to become self-sufficient so that they no longer need public assistance.
 
Dee Dee has been a notable example of how SDHC's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) and Aspire (financial education) programs have helped residents "get ahead." Prior to turning to SDHC for help, Dee Dee already had earned an associate degree and secured an internship with an entertainment production company. That position led to a entry level job with a nonprofit organization with which Dee Dee's supervisor was affiliated, called A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing). Then, with help through FSS and Aspire - including goal setting and training in finance and office skills - Dee Dee successfully worked her way up from part-time office assistant to full-time office manager, and finally chief operating officer.

Supportive Housing Helped "Trolley" Get Back on Track

Donetta can't help smiling when she shows off her favorite keepsake: a silver box etched with the word "Trolley." It opens to reveal a photo of her school-age grandchildren and a button that plays a recording of their gleeful declaration: "We love you Trolley!"
 
They nicknamed her Trolley back when she used to travel by trolley to visit them. "I'd go to see my daughter and grandkids rather than let them come to me, because I didn't want them to know how I lived," says Donetta, referring to her years of battling the challenges of homelessness, compounded by mental and physical disabilities as well as addictions.

All of that changed five years ago when she moved into the Del Mar Apartments, a supportive housing program operated by The Association for Community Housing Solutions with funding from SDHC. At the Del Mar, "Trolley" now has a home where her family can visit, and days filled with rewarding activities - such as taking classes, doing artwork, going to church, and volunteering as a support group speaker.
 
"This program saved my life. Things were so bad before I came here. There was so much pain. I was reaching the end of myself...I had no hope. But then I found this place. They gave me the tools to get my life together - and now I can help others do the same," says Donetta.
 
See the 10News segment. 

Fair Housing Survey and Workshops

To help combat housing discrimination, the cities and County of San Diego are conducting a fair housing study. The "San Diego Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice" study will include public workshops and a fair housing survey. (Click on links for dates/locations of workshops and/or to participate in the survey). 
 
The findings from the study will be used to identify areas of need - and corresponding resources - related to enforcing fair housing laws. For more information, call 619.233.1454.

News & Notes

> Maria Velasquez has joined SDHC as Vice President of Community Relations. Velasquez is a recognized San Diegan who has garnered community and professional awards for her contributions in community outreach, public affairs, and television news. Read the news release.  
 
> Proposals Sought For Homeless Services, Prevention: SDHC, together with Centre City Development Corporation and the City of San Diego have issued a joint Request For Proposals for addressing the need for increasing homeless assistance programs. Service providers are asked to submit proposals for any or all of the following: 1) A comprehensive, one-stop service/emergency housing center, 2) permanent supportive housing, and 3) sites that could be used for the operation of such programs. Read the San Diego Union-Tribune article. 
 
> Construction completed on Boulevard Apartments: Project partners and other housing advocates celebrated the grand opening of Boulevard Apartments. SDHC provided developer Father Joe's Villages with $6.6 million for the construction the new, 24-unit affordable rental community. Located in North Park, Boulevard Apartments will serve very low-income families and persons with special needs. Click here for application information.
                 
SDHCLogo
The San Diego Housing Commission is a public agency working to expand affordable housing opportunities in the City of San Diego. Each year, the agency helps 80,000 low-income individuals with affordable housing through award-winning programs that benefit the city's economy and revitalize neighborhoods. The agency also finances affordable housing development and advises the San Diego City Council on housing policy matters. Learn more: www.sdhc.org.