Volunteers Spruce Up San Mateo Domestic Violence Shelter

Essex Property Trust (Essex) and the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF) partnered to renovate a domestic violence shelter in San Mateo County. The shelter, which is operated by the nonprofit agency Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), aids more than 250 children and adults annually.

“It was an incredible honor to help renovate the CORA shelter,” said Adam Berry, senior vice president of asset management for Essex. “Our Essex team members were extremely moved and inspired by the opportunity to support families who are so desperately seeking a safe haven.”

More than 25 Essex volunteers transformed the CORA shelter in just seven hours, turning a former garage into a community room, painting two apartments from top to bottom, replacing rotted patio decking and unsecured stair railings, assembling furniture, decorating rooms with newly donated housewares, and more. Volunteers were joined by Brook Furniture, IBI Construction, National Apartment Flooring, Oakwood Corporate Housing, Scottish Maids and Varsity Painting, all of which donated skilled labor or material for the renovation.

“CORA approached us a few months ago and asked HIF to replace some damaged flooring, but we saw that the need was bigger,” said Meta Townsley, executive director of HIF. “We do what no other nonprofit can: transform these shelters by leveraging our partnerships in the multifamily housing industry, and always at no cost to the organization that operates the facility.”

In the last year alone, San Mateo County police responded to 2,879 domestic violence calls. CORA is the only agency in the county with the sole purpose of serving survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

“These renovations provided a more comfortable and healing environment for our families affected by domestic violence,” said Tanisha Hughes, manager of crisis intervention at CORA. “It was amazing to see the level of commitment from Essex volunteers to help make this feel like a home.”

About Essex Property Trust, Inc.

Essex Property Trust, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust

(REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 240 apartment communities with an additional 14 properties in various stages of active development. Additional information about Essex can be found on the Company’s website at www.essex.com.

About Communities Overcoming Relationship Abuse

CORA provides safety, support and healing to those who experience abuse in an intimate relationship, educates the community to break the cycle of domestic violence, and provides a 24-hour hotline, support groups, legal services, and emergency and transitional housing. To learn more about CORA, visit http://www.corasupport.org/.

About Housing Industry Foundation

The Housing Industry Foundation is a non-profit charity that helps individuals and families in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties either remain in, or return to stable housing. HIF completes renovations at no charge to non-profit housing shelters and transitional living facilities to improve the living conditions of their clients. Through collaboration with emergency service organizations, HIF also funds emergency housing grants of up to $1000 that provide the immediate bridge necessary to keep individuals and families in their homes. Learn more at HIFinfo.org.

--Information and photo courtesy Essex Property Trust