CALIFORNIA NEWS

MEET ROBERT It Takes a Village PAGE 13

SUNNYDALE UPDATE Doing More by Doing It Together PAGE 5 A Note from Our Partners In Hope: New Directions for Veterans PAGE 8

HOME OF THE BRAVE PAGE 6

SUMMER 2017 VOLUNTEER LETTER FROM BOARD CHAIR TANGERINE BRIGHAM HEALTH AND HOUSING CORNER

ew veterans think We must view the lack of affordable that leaving home housing as an epidemic. Combating Paving the Way for We are always in need of to serve in the the spread of any epidemic requires volunteers of all ages and armed forces can both treatment (in this case, more Community Partnerships skill levels! mean coming back affordable housing) and prevention to . (policies that prevent people from ocial determinants of health We’re looking for enthusiastic Unfortunately, becoming homeless in the first place). — such as economic stability, people to help with a variety homelessness is physical environment, of programs, such as: more likely to strike Mercy Housing California has a strong, and access to social support veterans than other proven treatment for the epidemic of systems — play a larger role in A fter school programs populations; veterans make up 7% of veteran homelessness — permanent determining a person’s health for kids the U.S. general population, but almost supportive housing. It dramatically than their genes or biology. In Ar t therapy classes for 13% of the adult homeless population. transforms the lives of those who have recognition of this fact, both people with special needs Every night, thousands of homeless bravely served our country, but now healthcare organizations and community developers are rethinking Ph ysical exercise classes veterans sleep in parks, shelters, cars, live with little hope on our . how to improve health and economic outcomes for the nation’s for seniors and on the streets. most vulnerable populations. and more... We’re not alone in our quest to Mercy Housing California is committed help end veteran homelessness; we Housing is a major social Individuals, groups, and to reversing this trend. We have collaborate with public agencies and We are prepared as a determinant of health, but there businesses welcome! partnered with several communities service providers to deliver innovative are often barriers to successful Volunteer groups can leave to develop housing specifically for and successful supportive programs. society to pay millions for collaboration between the a lasting impact at Mercy homeless and at-risk veterans. In this The community of partners and housing and healthcare sectors, Housing by participating issue of Mercy Housing California News, friends committed to ending veteran pharmaceuticals that are including a lack of shared in a property upkeep or you’ll meet Robert, a veteran who after a homelessness continues to grow and not nearly as impactful language and silos at local, beautification project, helping hard-fought battle with substance abuse, we’re grateful to work alongside others state, and federal levels. with a community meal, became sober and moved into Mather on this collective effort. on health as housing. or assisting with holiday Veterans Village in Rancho Cordova, What will it take for us At April’s Innovations in Health celebrations. Each activity California. You’ll also learn about how As Chair of the Mercy Housing and Housing Convening in generally accommodates our partnerships and programs help California Board, I was given the to decide to make the , Mercy Housing 10 - 15 volunteers. veterans across the state. opportunity to write this letter during joined health, housing, finance, the sabbatical of Doug Shoemaker, investment in housing? and policy experts to discuss As someone who works in the Mercy Housing California President. - Steven Henry, United HealthCare ways in which the health and If you’re interested healthcare field, I have seen firsthand Doug returns in late summer to housing sectors can collaborate in giving back to your how housing promotes better health. continue our fight for more affordable on creative solutions to tackle community, visit When you don’t have a clean, safe, housing for those who need it most. current obstacles and promote community health. The convening mercyhousing.org/ stable home, it’s nearly impossible to You’ll hear from him in our next issue. was co-hosted by The California Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, california/volunteer or manage your health. For veterans who Mercy Housing, and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF). email Rebekah Kornblum at are homeless, suffering from post- Live in Hope, [email protected] traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/ In July, Mercy Housing worked with these groups to publish a report or struggling with substance abuse, exploring some of the most promising strategies. The report profiles taking care of yourself becomes even Tangerine Brigham nine case studies in which healthcare and housing sectors partner to more difficult. Chair, Mercy Housing California Board bring housing and better health to the most vulnerable populations. Read more about the report at mercyhousing.org/Publications

2 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 3 SUNNYDALE UPDATES The ‘Home is Just the Beginning’ Event

his summer has been a special season for the residents of ’s Sunnydale neighborhood, thanks to the success of Mercy Housing California’s Home is Just the Beginning event PHILANTHROPY this past March. With the CORNER first phase of construction scheduled to begin in early 2018, we’re thrilled to share A huge thank you to these what’s ahead as we partner new first-time corporate with the more than 700 Doing More and foundation donors to families who call Sunnydale Mercy Housing California! home in preparation for the By Doing It Together transformative work that Bothin Foundation will forever strengthen their long with local partners, residents, and community groups, neighborhood. Photos from the ‘Home is Just the Beginning’ event Mercy Housing is transforming the Sunnydale neighborhood C alifornia Health Care and the Visitacion Valley community in southeast San Foundation Francisco. In partnership with the community and with people like you, we’re finding new ways to improve educational and Century Housing Growing Hope: health outcomes, make the streets safer, and help connect residents to the economic prosperity that surrounds them. T he Freda B. Runyon A Community Garden Foundation We know we can do more by working together, leveraging unnydale’s community important work experience. everyone’s skills and resources. To help build unity and Give Something Back garden provides Perhaps most importantly, by improve public safety, more than a beautiful working side-by-side, residents we’re collaborating with Ne w Directions for Veterans space; it gives residents of all ages and backgrounds local churches, community Want to learn more via LISC nutritious food, job skills, can build relationships with activists, law enforcement about Sunnydale? and an opportunity to build one another and make their officials, and others to provide The River Cats Foundation relationships. The garden’s community stronger. creative outlets for teens and Would you or your employer like benefits are many: thanks young adults. This summer, to join us in the efforts? The Sundt Foundation to cooking classes offered As Sunnydale undergoes the neighborhood coalition Contact Mary Kelley to see how onsite, residents are better significant construction and helped teens find summer you, your friends, family, and TCA Architects equipped to cook healthy change over the next several jobs and adults prepare for contacts can be a part of the meals with their produce. The years, the garden will provide full-time employment in the transformation in Sunnydale: W illiam G. Irwin Charity garden will also employ five a safe and stable community physical reconstruction of [email protected] Foundation resident leaders, giving them space for the neighborhood. Sunnydale.

4 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 5 SPOTLIGHT ON VETERAN HOUSING HOME OF THE BRAVE

ne in four homeless veterans in the United States lives in California, spending their nights under overpasses, on streets, and in encampments on Skid Row in Los Angeles and in the Tenderloin in San Francisco.

Nearly 10,000 veterans are homeless in California — more than anywhere else in our nation. Nationally, more than 1.4 million veterans live below the line, and another 1.4 million live slightly above it. Mental health conditions such as depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affect veterans at a higher rate than civilians. Poverty, mental health conditions, and physical disabilities put many veterans at especially high risk of becoming homeless.

Though veterans continue to be overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness, there’s hope. Since 2009, proven models such as permanent supportive housing and innovative service partnerships have reduced the number of homeless veterans by 46% across our nation.

Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing, health care, and supportive services designed to meet the unique and heightened needs of the most vulnerable: the chronically homeless and those with multiple barriers to housing, including veterans. Partnering with leading veterans service providers, Mercy Housing offers integrated care and community-based support to our veterans. Since opening in 2014 and 2016, respectively, El Monte Veterans Village and Mather Veterans Village provide homes to nearly 100 veterans. Responding to the layered needs of our veteran residents — unemployment, mental health issues, substance abuse, and family disintegration — these communities offer high-quality, culturally competent, intensive treatment in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment. With 90 homes for veterans across the state, we know the work to house the brave men and women who served are nation is far from over. That’s why we’re proud to add 230 more homes for our vets over the next three years. 

6 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 7 SPOTLIGHT ON VETERAN HOUSING

A Note from Our Partners: New Directions for Veterans BY COLONEL (RETIRED) YVETTE KELLEY, PRESIDENT & CEO OF NEW DIRECTIONS FOR VETERANS Veterans

he (NDVets), a nonprofit dedicated with Mercy Housing at Pico one of our most successful sites. Housing Crisis number of to empowering veterans and Robertson Senior Community, The residents have integrated BY THE NUMBERS homeless their families to lead productive Baldwin Rose Veteran Family successfully into the El Monte veterans in and fulfilling lives since 1992. Housing, and another veterans community, dispelling negative Los Angeles community in Placentia over stereotypes about homeless County NDVets’ partnership with Mercy the coming years. Together, people. Our veterans are now More than 40,000 veterans experience increased Housing California has helped we are committed to designing active and involved members of homelessness nationwide. by 57% get more veterans off the service-enriched communities the community — even helping from 2016, streets and into the housing that empower veterans with the to improve the area. 1.4 million veterans are at risk of becoming according to a recent report they need and deserve. Many home and resources they need homeless due to poverty, lack of support, and by the Los Angeles Housing veterans living in Mercy Housing to find stability and hope. From advocating for veterans overcrowding at transitional shelters. Services Authority. As a result, California communities have to creating a positive and each night more than 4,800 suffered mental and physical Through its partnership supportive environment, Mercy 10% of veterans experiencing homelessness veterans sleep on the streets. wounds from combat and with Mercy Housing, NDVets Housing has proven to be an are women. have struggled with substance provides services to 40 formerly invaluable partner who has made To reverse this tragic trend abuse and/or homelessness. homeless and disabled veterans it possible for NDVets to continue The number of veterans experiencing in Southern California, Mercy Because of the success of the El at the El Monte Veterans to provide veterans with the care homelessness in Los Angeles rose 57% in Housing has partnered with Monte Veterans Village model, Village facility. The permanent and support they need to live the 2017, compared to 2016. New Directions for Veterans we look forward to working supportive housing facility is lives they deserve.

8 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 9 SPOTLIGHT ON VETERAN HOUSING

both formal and informal networks of support.

By co-locating permanent supportive housing and the transitional beds, which will be completely operated by VRC, Mercy Housing and our partners were able to leverage resources available in South Sacramento dedicated to transitional housing and make them available for all residents. Located steps away from the VA Medical Center, Mather residents can easily access primary and specialist healthcare, clinical psychiatric services, workforce training, and other supportive services.

Thanks to our partnership with VRC, Mercy Housing residents have reconnected with families, improved their ercy Housing California services that truly make AN INNOVATIVE health, tackled substance MATHER (MHC) is proud to have Mather Veterans Village abuse issues, gained full PARTNERSHIP partnered with the City special. Creating a “village” The collective work access to their VA benefits, VETERANS of Rancho Cordova, Veterans environment, the three-phase As part of our commitment to of MHC and VRC is and even, in some cases, Resource Center (VRC), development is planned with serving our veterans, Mercy moved on to market VILLAGE Sacramento County, U.S. onsite support and resources Housing has partnered with already transforming rate housing. Department of Veterans Affairs, that will serve the 100 VRC as the experts in the and bringing stability to and VA Northern California permanent supportive units field. VRC works exclusively Helping residents maintain Health Care System on the and the 50 transitional beds with veterans and brings a the lives of those who stable housing, VRC opening of Mather Veterans that will make up the project culture and service model that provides a full-time case Village in 2016. upon completion. is specialized in addressing moved into the first 50 manager and clinical staff the most serious needs often apartments last year. to work with residents, build And though the property is The collective work of MHC and experienced by veterans — relationships, and connect a beautiful addition to the VRC is already transforming and including post-traumatic stress them to appropriate supportive community — and the first bringing stability to the lives of disorder, substance abuse, and of our service men and women, services including a food bank, home in a decade for many those who moved into the first other chronic health issues. VRC can tap into a sense of of its residents — it is the 50 apartments last year. Recognizing the special bond community and use it to create CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

10 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 11 SPOTLIGHT ON VETERAN HOUSING MEET ROBERT: MATHER VETERANS VILLAGE RESIDENT It Takes A Village

I’ve been a methamphetamine addict I paid rent, where I had since I was 12 years old. I had been my own things, where homeless for years and consider myself I knew I could settle in. a “professional schlepper.” This place here, even though it took a long As I was trying to get some help, I time to get here, is first went through rehab at River God sent. City Recovery for 110 days. Then after transitioning to the Sacramento Three years ago, I Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) for started my recovery five months, someone came in and told because I knew I had a us we might be eligible for some new problem. Now, I’m onto affordable housing. achieving new goals. I’m focusing on getting I remember being filled with anxieties permanent employment. Soon, I’ll be as I waited for this housing. On June 1st joining a job training program here 2016, I got a call that I needed to pack up in Sacramento. But in the meantime, my bags and get myself to Mather. I was I’m part of a special program where Mather Veterans Village the first veteran to move in from SVRC. I pitch in, clean up the grounds here in the morning, doing a little bit of Since I’ve maintenance as I get ready to prepare CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 This is the best been here, my for a custodial job training program. resident-led Bible study, AA mind has been meetings, and other groups. place for a lot of blown. This is For those that have never visited, I really the best place encourage you to come by and see this “We think of the case manager the homeless for a lot of community. It’s tight knit because we’re as a navigation system. The veterans out there. the homeless all veterans. We have a breakfast club resident is the captain—they veterans out in the morning, and when the weather set their personal goals. there. Not cools down we all come outside and sit Every resident knows where only do you have your own place to around and talk together in the evening. he or she wants to be,” says live, but along with that comes a set of We look out for each other. Kevin Walker, Case Manager, responsibilities. We’ve all come in with Veterans Resource Center. “My our different issues, but the staff here They say ‘It takes a village to raise role functions much like a GPS has helped a lot of us deal with them. a child.’ Well, it’s taking this whole and helps them identify the village — the entire staff, all the best way to get there, staying When I first moved in, I didn’t unpack for programs, all the connections, these alongside them the entire way, four months. That’s because I struggled homes — to elevate these 50 veterans and being there in case we with mental health issues and never lived to a completely different level of life, need to course correct.” in my own place before — a place where happiness, and prosperity.

12 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 13 INSPIRING LEADERS WHAT WE’RE BUILDING Youth Leadership Brings Camino Del Mar

New Purpose to Community In partnership with Abode Communities and the Housing Authority of Los Angeles, Mercy Housing kicked off the who, though close in location, construction of 88 new townhome-style apartments for have been distanced by families in the Fall of 2016. Now nearly halfway through stereotyping. In partnership construction, Camino Del Mar will complete Phase 4 with the Boys and Girls Club, of the revitalization of the New Dana Strand area in the program is helping youth Wilmington — creating a community of affordable homes, improve their writing skills and resource centers, and gathering spaces for hard-working build genuine relationships families and future generations. with their community.

UPLIFTING RESULTS 623 Vernon hen Veronica Switzer with people outside of this A group of brothers who attend Apartments joined the Mercy Housing community,” says Veronica. the youth leadership program California team at Carter experienced several life-changing Once the winter rains finally stopped, construction Terrace in San Francisco as a So, in addition to taking many of events that forced them to has moved along steadily on 623 Vernon Street Resident Services Coordinator, the youth on their first boat ride become adults at a young Apartments in Roseville — a four-story, mixed-use she realized that to help create or to their first baseball game, age. Veronica has watched community in the city’s historic core. Scheduled for a vibrant community, she would she is helping connect them these brothers, like many of completion in the summer of 2018, the brick-clad need to earn the trust of the to programs in the larger San the children at Carter Terrace, building will face the downtown streetscape and add community’s youth. Francisco Bay Area. grow and learn during their 58 apartments and 2,900 square feet of commercial time in the program. Because space to the popular neighborhood. Veronica decided to start a BREAKING of the safe space that the youth youth leadership program with BARRIERS leadership program offers, they five teenagers. She encouraged have become more receptive to them to take ownership of their In turn, the youth have helped others, speak more confidently, community and supported them break down years of barriers are better able to understand Transbay Block 7 Project as they looked for ways to help and obstacles in the Visitacion their own feelings, and help hold and improve their neighborhood. Valley community. Acutely each other accountable. The Transbay area of San Francisco will soon have a Now, the group has expanded aware of their surroundings, new neighbor in the completion of the Transbay Block 7 and its members are often seen the youth at Carter Terrace are “The onsite center and program Project. About 60% through construction, both buildings helping residents with groceries, well-aware of the divide in the helps kids be kids while giving have been topped out and will be ready to open in early leading neighborhood clean-ups, larger community. them the skills and guidance spring 2018. The Transbay Block 7 Project consists of and volunteering at food pantries. they need to make sense of the two multi-family residential buildings comprised of A new pen pal campaign is world around them and help 120 affordable units, around a grade-level landscaped “I want them to see the world bringing together kids from them become problem solvers,” courtyard. The project includes a 4,000 square foot child beyond themselves and connect Carter Terrace with youth Veronica explains. care facility to serve the residents and the community. 1512

14 | MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2017 | 15 1360 Mission Street, Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94103

INSIDE: Check out what’s happening in your neighborhood

MERCY HOUSING CALIFORNIA 2017 REAL ESTATE HIGHLIGHTS

GRAND OPENINGS

55 Laguna SAN FRANCISCO 40 Homes for LGBT seniors

The Arc Mercy Community SAN FRANCISCO 15 Homes for people with developmental disabilities

Bill Sorro Community SAN FRANCISCO 67 Homes for families

The Arbor at Hesperian SAN LORENZO 77 Homes for seniors

NEW CONSTRUCTION The Openhouse Community at 95 Laguna SAN FRANCISCO 40 Homes for LGBT seniors

Pico Robertson Senior Community LOS ANGELES 148 Homes for seniors and senior homeless veterans

Baldwin Rose Veteran Family Housing EL MONTE 55 Homes for homeless veterans and families

180 West Beamer Street WOODLAND 80 Homes for families