About West Bay Housing

While the need for affordable housing is great, West Bay Housing is pro-active in finding housing solutions for some of the most disadvantaged people in our society. We are always looking for partners in this endeavor, from financial supporters to service providers to housing developers. In today’s real estate environment the task is quite complex, but with solid partnerships West Bay has already put vulnerable people into permanent housing in attractive neighborhoods - the kinds of places where we would like to live ourselves.

Formation and Background

In 2003, staff at the Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) undertook a proactive role in the development of affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities. Increasingly, adult clients of GGRC have requested to move into their own apartments and live independently with supportive services. Since most clients receive SSI and perhaps a small income, the prospect of procuring affordable housing is extremely challenging.

To help address this critical need, GGRC created housing coalitions and contracted with service providers to develop a centrally-located non-profit affordable housing corporation to address the specific needs of people with developmental disabilities. West Bay Housing Corporation was established in March 2004 with a Board of Directors comprised of a parent, representatives from the affordable housing community, service providers, and one GGRC staff person. In August 2004.

West Bay Housing has successfully completed several projects. Two homes have been purchased for the downsizing of a residential program which has been serving clients in a large setting, and West Bay oversaw project management for a $500,000 renovation at the campus where the downsizing occurred.

West Bay is securing eleven properties for the transfer of clients out of Agnews Developmental Center. This includes property identification and project management for all property renovations. Upon occupancy, West Bay Housing's affiliate "A Home For Life" will own and manage these properties.

West Bay is also exploring other options for creating new affordable housing units for GGRC clients which will include “set asides” such as apartments in new housing developments for people with developmental disabilities. West Bay recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Citizens Housing to provide set aside units at Rosa Parks, an existing senior housing development in San Francisco’s Western Addition. West Bay is also looking into development of subsidized apartment projects through public financing. We are working with county housing coalitions in identifying specific housing endeavors in each county, sponsoring affordable housing forums, and advocating wherever possible for additional affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities.

Properties

• Chantal Way, Redwood City - West Bay’s first residence is a three-bedroom townhouse in Redwood City. The home is in an impeccably maintained residential neighborhood. The development offers landscaped common areas and a swimming pool. West Bay stepped in to purchase the property and make the modifications needed to make it work well for residents with developmental disabilities. The home’s residents are three women who are clients of Kainos Home and Training Center. They have lived in larger, more structured residential facilities, where they learned the life skills they needed to “graduate” to the freedom of supported living. Kainos staff visits women on regular intervals to offer guidance and assist where needed.

• Sanchez Way, Redwood City - This is a four-bedroom residence with an attached “cottage” that is its own separate living quarters. The home on Sanchez Way received the 2005 Mayor’s Beautification Award for “Best Maintained Landscape.” The grounds are cared for by employees of Kainos Home and Training Center that provides employment and day programs for clients with developmental disabilities. Residents of the home take part in various daytime activities - ranging from work at a local Albertson’s supermarket to day programs at Kainos. One of the residents told us, “This is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. I love you and love this house.”

Our Program

People

Our recently acquired new home for Kainos Home and Training Center’s residents. Is located close to community services, public transportation and to one of its newest residents’ place of employment - Albertson’s. We salute Thurman Nichols for his accomplishments and independence and wish him great happiness in his new home!

Thurman has a wonderful life. He enjoys his work and likes his friends at the Kainos Triplex. However, there is one dream that hadn’t come true yet for Thurman - to live in a place of his own. Thurman moved to Kainos’ licensed facilities over twenty years ago and since then he has gained a tremendous range of skills and is quite independent.

Now, thanks to a partnership between West Bay, Kainos and Golden Gate Regional Center, Thurman’s dream is coming true and he has moved into a home of his own with his friends.

Thurman recently received his ten year employment pin and a ring with his initials engraved on it from Albertson’s, where he works five days per week as a Customer Service Clerk.

Kainos helped Thurman get his job and provides an ongoing job coach who checks in with him and his employer to make sure things are going well. The Golden Gate Regional Center has worked with Kainos to design the support services that Thurman needs to be successful in his own home.