In March 2017 Housing Trust   was proud to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Second Street Studios - San Jose's first 100% permanent supportive housing development. We provided pre-development funding for First Community Housing to build 135 homes at the intersection of Keyes and 2nd Street in San Jose. A few months later, we attended a presentation on the site to have a look at the pre-fabricated modules as they were lifted into place to construct the building.

More than a year later, Second Street Studios opened - and the value of these new affordable homes was quickly felt by those who moved in - one of whom was Cecilia Martin, and her journey home was beautifully captured in a Second Street Studios story by Jennifer Wadsworth. 

Second Street Studios was also a featured stop on Wheelie Home - an affordable housing-themed bike ride organized by The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition - to coincide with National Bike Month and Affordable Housing Week. Cyclists pedaled to several pertinent sites surrounding downtown San Jose and would stop at each to learn about them. The transit features of Second Street Studios - the location is within walking distance to bus stops, bike share stations and to downtown San Jose - were highlighted on the tour, which featured a stop at the large and secure indoor bike parking room on the premises: according to First Community Housing only about 20% of the residents own cars. 

Meet Ralph and Babygirl 

One of those residents is Ralph, an army veteran who grew up in Colorado but moved to California to be closer to his son and to pursue jobs on ranches. He worked hard but a series of hardships had him living in a motor home in 2010, which worked alright until it broke down one day and he couldn't afford to fix it. For the last four years he had lived on the streets with his beloved dog, Babygirl. "I was staying in abandoned warehouses," Ralph told us. "I'd find them and would always choose the electrical room in the back since it had only one way in and out, and I could lock it."  

Ralph, a formerly homeless army veteran, with his dog Babygirl at their favorite spot at Second Street Studios

Through San Jose's Downtown Streets Team, Ralph eventually got connected to the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing, and he and Babygirl moved into their home on May 7. Though it's only been two months, everywhere in and out of Second Street Studios, fellow residents and building staff say "Hi, Babygirl!" every time they walk by. Ralph said Babygirl enjoys seeing more people and is a lot calmer since they moved in. 

He's already found a spot of lawn nearby where she likes to lie in the grass and roll around.  As for Ralph: "I am able to sleep," he said. "I don't have to worry about where I am going to find my meal for the next day. I have a place to store food and a place to cook - it is so different living in a place with a fridge and a stove. And I don't have to worry about being ripped off or stabbed or whatever out on the streets because you don't know what happens out there. I don't know who to thank first for all of this!"

We thank Ralph for sharing his story with us - and we thank Second Street Studios, Santa Clara County and other partners for  seeing this important project through.

Also during Affordable Housing Week in May, we  got to step into the new kitchen at Hope's Corner in Mountain View.  A lot of time, teamwork and love went into making a kitchen that serves hundreds of our most vulnerable neighbors each week - Google, Sobrato Family Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank and  others stepped forward in a big way. Housing Trust contributed to the effort with a $240,000 forgivable loan. 

Hope's Corner Kitchen Executive Director,  Leslie Carmichael

It was also great to see friends like Leslie Carmichael,  member of the Housing Trust family Sandra Murillo and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian at the ribbon cutting. 

"As our region continues to prosper, people of modest means are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet," Supervisor Simitian said. "Having a single location where folks can get a meal, find a warm place to lay their heads, and get job-training will be a true game-changer."

Hope's Corner counts on donations and volunteers for its efforts - you can learn how to volunteer for Hope's Kitchen here.
 

Our 2020 fiscal year started today - July 1 - and before we know it we'll be heading beyond summer and approaching our fall event, On the House. Be sure to save the date: October 7, 2019. And please be sure to follow Housing Trust on social media ( Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) so you'll be able to secure your tickets the moment the Eventbrite link goes live.

We're also preparing for an important milestone: our twentieth anniversary! We have put a stake in the 2020 calendar for March 13, 2020 at the Santa Clara Convention Center for Investor Briefing 2020. As most of you know Investor Briefing 2019 sold out faster than expected and had the largest number of attendees ever so mark your calendar - and we'll keep you posted when tickets are available!

Sponsorship opportunities for #InvestorBriefing20 are now available - please contact Alison Frost at [email protected].