Groundbreaking Held For New Apartment Community for Homeless Veterans

News from EAH Housing:

Core Affordable Housing, an affiliate of The Core Companies, and EAH Housing held the groundbreaking ceremony for its new $18 million Willow Housing apartment community for homeless veterans, located on the Menlo Park campus of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

More than 100 people attended the event as Core’s Vice President Chris Neale and Lisa Freeman, Director of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, welcomed and thanked key community stakeholders such as Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, local leaders, and others for their partnership.

Upon its anticipated completion in late 2015 Willow Housing will provide veterans the opportunity to live in safe, high quality, permanent, affordable housing in close proximity to the services provided by the VA on the Menlo Park and Palo Alto campuses.

Core Affordable Housing was able to secure 2 acres on the site as part of the Federal BURR Initiative, a Congressional effort to end the nationwide housing crisis among veterans.

This public-private partnership of delivering housing and services, which the VA is seeking to replicate throughout the nation, began in December 2011 and commenced construction in December 2014.

“We could not be more thrilled to see this project break ground,” said Chris Neale, Vice President of The Core Companies. “It has been a privilege to collaborate with the Veterans Administration, and local leaders from Menlo Park and San Mateo County to create a safe, affordable permanent community for our local veterans in need. The location is ideal - close to a thriving economy and healthcare. We hope this is the first of many more to come.”

“We’re truly grateful to be working with Core Affordable Housing to create housing opportunities for our veterans, our thanks to the elected leaders of this community for making this possible. EAH Housing is passionate about serving those in need and Willow Housing will touch countless lives,” said Mary Murtagh, EAH Housing President and CEO. “This is more than just providing a place to live; it’s about creating homes and building a community. We look forward to continue working with our partners to build both housing and hope. “

Willow Housing will promote a healthy, vibrant living environment for those who served our country.

Veterans, homeless and formerly homeless, contributed to the building and site design process through focus groups. This process empowered the design team to create living spaces and community amenities that meet the needs and preferences of this exceptional population.

Willow Housing will have approximately 43,000 of interior square footage including more than 2,000 indoor community space for recreation, laundry, and offices for services and case management, leasing and maintenance, and enclosed bicycle storage.

Recreational and community amenities include a fitness gym, community kitchen, and a business center with computers and printers.

Outdoor amenities include raised-bed vegetable gardens, walking paths, mature oak trees and landscaping with walking paths. The building and site are designed to accommodate residents’ service animals. The property will be fully ADA accessible and LEED Silver certified.

The housing crisis for Bay Area veterans is all too real.

The Bay Area ranks among the most expensive housing markets in the country, with market rate rents up by 30% since 2010. In 2013 Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties’ Homeless Count estimated there are 1,100 homeless veterans in the two counties combined.

For Bay Area veterans with fixed and low incomes, access to decent affordable housing, near employment, health services, and their established communities of fellow veterans and family, is next to impossible.

Add to this bleak economic picture the staggering statistic that almost 70% of all homeless veterans in the Counties reported having at least one debilitating disability - including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, physical disabilities, or other mental illness - often resulting from their military service.

Willow Housing answers not only the need for affordable housing for veterans, but will also provide much needed services to keep these veterans housed and thriving.

About The Core Companies: Established in 1989, The Core Companies is a vertically-integrated real estate development and construction firm. Core Affordable Housing specializes in development of below-market-rate properties, through partnerships with public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private financing institutions. Core has developed a strong track record for identifying well-located housing sites and securing challenging difficult entitlements throughout the San Francisco Bay area. http://www.thecorecompanies.com/

About EAH Housing: Established in 1968, EAH Housing is one of the oldest and most respected nonprofit developers and managers in the western United States. EAH has developed more than 7,268 homes and manages 111 properties serving more than 20,000 working families, students and seniors in 50 municipalities throughout California and Hawaii. http://www.eahhousing.org/

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