On March 21, Hollister officials will celebrate the
groundbreaking of Gateway Palms Apartments, a community of
affordable new apartments in Hollister developed by local nonprofit
South County Housing. The ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. at Fourth
Street and Westside Boulevard, according to a statement from South
County Housing.
On March 21, Hollister officials will celebrate the groundbreaking of Gateway Palms Apartments, a community of affordable new apartments in Hollister developed by local nonprofit South County Housing. The ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. at Fourth Street and Westside Boulevard, according to a statement from South County Housing.
According to the statement:
“With a planned opening in the fall of this year, Gateway Palms will provide 30 apartment homes for low and very low-income residents. The 1 1/2 acre development at the corner of Fourth and Westside will welcome visitors to Hollister’s historic core. Designed in a rich Southwest architectural genre by the local firm of Huboi Architectural Services, the project includes a four story building on Fourth that will be an iconic Gateway to the city. The project also includes three three-story buildings on Westside and a two story building fronting on Line Street. A community space with computer lab and a tot lot are among the amenities provided.
This project was initially developed by Community Services Development Corp., a Hollister non-profit housing agency. CSDC purchased the property and developed the plans during the eight year Hollister building moratorium. In 2009, South County Housing assumed the role of owner and developer due to their extensive track record of leveraging local funds with money from state and federal sources. The project wouldn’t have been possible without funding from the Hollister Redevelopment Agency. As with many affordable housing developments, these vital locally controlled funds made it possible for this development to be initiated, and subsequently attract additional funding from other sources. In addition to Gateway, South County is working with the RDA on two other affordable housing projects which are currently under construction in the City. These projects are generating hundreds of good paying local construction jobs and a big infusion of dollars into the City’s struggling economy.
South County Housing is not only constructing the development, with their South County Community Builders affiliate acting as general contractor, they will also operate the apartments through South County Property Management. In addition to placing an emphasis on long term, high quality maintenance, South County will collaborate with other local mission driven service providers to bring resources to the residents. These will include a weekday after school program staffed by the Hollister Youth Alliance, providing resident youngsters with the support they need to succeed. Classes and workshops will also be provided for adults on managing finances, health, crime prevention and other topics.
The buildings are designed with 6″ exterior walls and cellulose insulation, an energy efficient building envelope that will minimize use of fossil fuels and lower the operating costs. Lower costs will translate into lower rents and long-term affordability. The project will also incorporate solar panels to meet some of the electrical and water heating needs. Like other South County Housing projects, Gateway Palms will integrate dozens of other green features to create healthy interior living spaces, save energy and water, and minimize material waste.
The rental apartments will serve residents with incomes no greater than 30% to 50% of Area Median Income. This amounts to roughly $19,470 to $32,450 for a two person household and $24,350 to $40,550 for a four person household. Rents will range from between $389 for a one studio apartment to $530 – $952 for a three bedroom, with rents determined by income level.
Besides the financing that was made available by the City of Hollister Redevelopment Agency, funds were also invested by the State of California Housing and Community Development Department and federal low income housing tax credit investors. Rural Community Assistance Corporation is providing a construction loan and tax credit equity is being provided by Alliant Capital.”
