“The Council advocates, promotes & implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity & inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families."
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Gavin Newsom, Governor
● website ● www.scdd.ca.gov ● email ● [email protected] 3831 North Freeway Blvd., Suite 125 Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 263-7919
(916) 263-7963 fax
State Council on Developmental Disabilities
March 8, 2023
South San Francisco City Council
City Hall
400 Grand Ave
South San Francisco, CA. 94080
RE. Item 13: Support of Housing Development, Baden Station Apartments, and Amended Loan Terms Distinguished City Councilmembers,
This letter expresses the support of the staff recommendation to amend the loan terms for the proposed development of units of affordable housing at Baden Station Apartments, with 18 of these units set in preference for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The CA State Council on Developmental Disabilities supports systems change, capacity building, and quality of services within the community for individuals with IDD and their families. Statewide inclusive and affordable housing options for individuals with disabilities must be increased and enhanced through access to housing and subsidies. Permanent, affordable, accessible and sustained housing options must be continually developed to meet both current and future needs. We know that a lack of affordable housing is the greatest single barrier to achieving the goal of independent living for people with IDD and other disabilities. South San Francisco faces a growing need for affordable housing for residents with disabilities; in 2021 our office wrote a letter in support of this proposed project. For the Future Housing’s proposal aligns with federal and state priorities to provide housing for people with IDD in typical community housing and addresses an unmet priority of the City’s Housing Element.
We understand that For the Future has worked to tap every available affordable housing finance program, including county funding, to make Baden Station Apartments feasible, while targeting rental units at the proposed property to Extremely Low and Very Low-Income populations, requiring on-site supportive services including individuals with IDD and other disabilities. Amending the loan terms for city funding, as proposed by staff, will allow the project to close on their construction loan and begin construction on these much-needed supportive housing units. If the amendments are not approved by this City Council, the project risks losing other funding sources. This office of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities hopes to see the loan amendment approved, for this purpose. The deeply Government Code Section 54957.5
SB 343 Agenda: 03/08/2023
Reg CC Item # 13
affordable rents for these apartments would allow people with developmental disabilities to live in safe, stable and affordable housing, in their city of South San Francisco. The creation of affordable housing that includes people with disabilities depends on South San Francisco City Council leadership advancing projects like Baden Station Apartments.
Thank you for all that you do to serve the community,
Sheraden Nicholau
Regional Manager, Bay Area
CA State Council on Developmental Disabilities
1515 Clay Street, Ste. 803
Oakland, CA 94612
[email protected]
510.286.1250