HOUSING CONSORTIUM OF THE EAST BAY
Creating affordable, accessible housing for persons with developmental disabilities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Meet our Residents
HCEB works with a developer in Berkeley to provide set-aside apartments for people with developmental disabilities in some of their Berkeley properties. HCEB provides Tenant Liaison services to help make the transition as smooth as possible as residents move into their new apartments.
HCEB would like to introduce the newest resident of one of HCEB’s 2-bedroom apartment shares in Berkeley- Nevada.Nevada is an accomplished cook. Before moving into his apartment, Nevada lived with Aunt and learned some of the skills needed to live on his own- like how to cook. Now that he’s living on his own, he continues to cook for himself and expand his recipe repertoire.
Nevada really looks forward to showing off his cooking skills and making dinner for his girlfriend and Aunt. He is also learning how to grocery shop and do his own laundry. Nevada likes to keep the apartment looking good- he and his roommate switch off housekeeping duties (like cleaning the bathroom and kitchen) every other day.
“I was excited to hear about Camellia Place from my Regional Center case manager. My support staff helped me with the application, but I was denied at first. Then HCEB advocated for me. Then I got a call from property management, telling me my application was approved and my rent would be almost $200 less than what I was paying. I thought I was dreaming…”
Cleo moved into Camellia Place in Dublin in February, 2007. HCEB was contacted by the Regional Center after Cleo’s rental application was initially denied based on her income. HCEB went to work advocating for Cleo and her application was eventually accepted. Cleo likes having a patio off her living room, she says it reminds her of Las Vegas because it is so nice. Cleo enjoys spending time in the on-site computer lab and she has her own email account to stay in touch with friends. “I also pay my bills online with help from support staff”.
The laundry room is open 24 hours, and she uses a WEB card instead of quarters. Very convenient. Cleo also plans to start volunteering as a dog walker. She loves animals, especially calico cats and pugs. Cleo often visits the library nearby and frequents her favorite restaurants, Denny’s, IHOP, and Red Tractor, all nearby.
Cleo says, “My apartment is ‘huge’ and I want to stay here forever”.
Donald watched Lincoln Oaks Apartments (LOA) being built and hoped to live there some day. He was surprised and pleased to learn that his name was picked from the application lottery. LOA opened its doors in September 2007. LOA was built by HCEB in response to the tremendous shortfall of affordable housing, which is designated for and meets the needs of persons with developmental disabilities, in Alameda County. Donald and William are but two of the fourteen persons who call LOA home.
Donald was born and raised in Rodeo, California and later moved to Fremont. He watched LOA being built and hoped to live there someday. He placed his name into the application lottery and was surprised to learn he was selected to become a resident.
Donald has always had an interest in drawing and painting. He works 4 days a week at the Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, utilizing transportation arranged by his service provider. Donald has continued to develop his art skills, and some of his art work has been featured in Creative Growth's art gallery and print publications.
Some of Donald's other interests are San Francisco Giants baseball, cooking and computers. He plans to make full use of the 4 computers in the LOA computer room and has mastered sending emails, thanks to his persistence and support from HCEB.
William was born down the road from Lincoln Oaks, in Milpitas. He enjoys going to the movies, and relishes a good hamburger and french fries. William also likes to watch sports on TV, is an A's fan and hopes to see them this season at the Oakland Coliseum. He also enjoys bowling, and is proud of his trophies.
William attends the Hayward Adult School 3 days a week, and also works there helping to keep the computer room clean.
William has ambitious goals. Like his friend Donald, he would like to improve his cooking and computer skills. He plans to go on a Bay Cruise with his service provider this summer and there is talk of a trip to Hawaii next year.
Donald and William get along well together, and because they share a 2-bedroom unit, they split the chores. Both like the fact that LOA is quiet, safe, and close to their service provider, Serra Center. Shopping on Fremont Blvd. is a short walk away, and they can catch a bus to other shopping centers in the area.
Leroy is a man who likes to make the most of his time.
A writer and activist, he has contributed poems to a number of anthologies such as Molotov Mouths, has performed with a group called "Black and Disabled Artists - Sharing Stories", has had his work featured in the San Francisco Bayview newspaper, and recently returned from a Hip-Hop Symposium at Purdue University.
With these interests, it's little surprise that he makes his home in Berkeley.That home is at the Acton Courtyard Apartments in downtown Berkeley. The apartment he lives in is the result of a collaboration between HCEB and Patrick Kennedy of Panoramic Interests to provide accessible, affordable housing for those with developmental disabilities. Acton Courtyards reflects the diversity of its community by housing people of varying income levels, ages, and abilities.
His sister lives close by and visits often. The convenience of Acton's downtown location offers Leroy easy access to BART. Additionally, it is close to radio station KPFA where he co-hosts"Pushing Limits", a program on disabilities that airs on Fridays.
Jennifer and Todd have known each other for 10 years and are both clients of Serra Center. Now they are neighbors at Lincoln Oaks. Although they moved into their respective 1 bedroom apartments less than 2 months ago, they are thriving and living comfortably on their own. Besides being close to public transportation and shopping, they can easily commute to work, and their Independent Living Support offices are nearby. They still see their supportive parents, who live nearby, on a regular basis, but are certainly enjoying their first independent homes.
Both Jennifer and Todd utilize support in budgeting, paying bills, keeping track of appointments and other responsibilities, and going grocery shopping. Jennifer works at Albertson's and Todd has been working at Target for 17 years. On their days off, Todd likes to bowl (which is nearby) and golf and play bocce ball. Jennifer likes to hang out with friends at coffee shops and malls. They both like games and Jennifer has a beanie-baby collection. Todd likes to socialize, is interested in cars and coke collectibles, and spends time with his girlfriend.
Todd and Jennifer learned how to cook while living at home, and they both enjoy having their own kitchens to experiment with new recipes. Todd enjoys cooking (and eating!) soups and chili. Although each apartment is wired for cable, the residents spend time together in the community room where they have access to a large screen TV, small kitchenette and dining table. There is also a computer room with 4 separate stations. Todd is an avid sports fan and is looking forward to following his favorite teams on the internet. Todd and Jennifer are anxious to learn more computer skills, such as using e-mail and instant messaging and surfing the web.
Jennifer, her friends, and fellow residents frequent the bench near the garden area to talk in a relaxing setting. It is evident that all the residents are feeling at home at Lincoln Oaks. Todd and Jennifer have told their friends about Lincoln Oaks, which has led to requests that HCEB build more homes in the area. Don't worry guys, we're working on it!
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