Jordan Court Groundbreaking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jordan Court Groundbreaking
Wednesday September 30, 2020

11:00 AM
Interviews available & building renderings available
1601 Oxford St., Berkeley CA
Media Contact: Susan Friedland, 510-809-2762
 

Local church and Berkeley affordable housing developer work together to provide a community solution to a regional challenge

All Souls Episcopal Parish (ASEP) and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) break ground on Jordan Court – 34 new affordable homes for seniors in Berkeley

September 24, 2020  – Berkeley, CA. On Wednesday, September 30, All Souls Episcopal Parish (ASEP) and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) will mark the groundbreaking of Jordan Court – 34 new affordable studios for low-income and formerly homeless seniors at 1600 Oxford Street in North Berkeley. The community is encouraged to watch the event streamed on allsoulsparish.org at 11 AM.

The site’s owner, ASEP, recognized the opportunity to address the housing affordability crisis they saw in their community by transforming their underutilized land in North Berkeley into a vibrant, affordable community for Berkeley seniors.

According to a study by the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center, three out of ten of seniors in California do not have enough income to cover their basic needs, and this inequality falls hardest on older seniors, seniors of color, older women, unmarried seniors, and renters

“From providing shelter after the 1923 fire to offering asylum to immigrants detained by ICE, this small plot of land across from our church has a long history of serving the most vulnerable in our community. Watching the growing housing crisis here in Berkeley, it became clear to us that affordable housing was the most generous re-use of this land. We hope Jordan Court will not only provide housing, but refuge, safety and a sense of home,” says the Reverend Phil Brochard, Rector.

Jordan Court will provide permanent affordable housing for seniors whose income is between 20 and 60% of area median income. The Berkeley Housing Authority is providing 24 project-based Section 8 vouchers, which enables low income households to pay only 1/3 of their income for rent.

According to SAHA’s Chief Executive Officer Susan Friedland, “Studies have shown that aging in place can improve a seniors' quality of life, including their physical health. That’s why this project in North Berkeley is so important. We’ve seen seniors priced out of this neighborhood, forced to move far from the friends and family that support them. With the land contribution and support from ASEP, Jordan Court will ensure senior residents can remain a vital part of this community for years to come.”

Twelve (12) of the 34 affordable studios are proposed to be set-aside for formerly homeless seniors with serious mental illness via the No Place Like Home program. SAHA will provide a permanent onsite manager, and services - as well as linkages to community-based services for all residents at Jordan Court.

In addition to 34 affordable studios, the project will have a community room, laundry room, two shared terraces with views of the Berkeley hills and San Francisco Bay, and a private courtyard with outdoor seating. The development will also include approximately 4,550 square feet of space for All Souls Episcopal Parish including two three-bedroom apartments for church staff, and 20 parking spaces for staff, visitors and SAHA residents.

Funding comes from Silicon Valley Bank, Housing Trust of Silicon Valley, the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing Program, the City of Berkeley, Alameda County’s Regional A1 Housing Bond, and the No Place Like Home Program, administered by the California’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

Jordan Court was designed by HKIT Architects, ASEP was the design client, and James E. Roberts-Obayashi, Inc. is the general contractor. 


About Satellite Affordable Housing Associates
Satellite Affordable Housing Associates believes that everyone deserves a home. With a mission to provide high-quality affordable homes and support services that empower people and strengthen communities, SAHA’s innovative properties provide more than 3,000 homes in 75 buildings to low-income seniors, families, and people with special needs.

Media Contact: Susan Friedland, Chief Executive Officer 510-809-2762, sfriedland@sahahomes.org