We go into their home and we teach them how to cook, budget and shop. We teach them how to launder their clothes. We teach them how to take the bus, and how to get back and forth to different things in the community.
I think personally it would give me a great feeling to know that Beth had a place she could call her home long after we were gone -- and I know that is true of other parents that we know
The neatest thing about living in my own place is cause I love it here... I can do things on my own.
My dream was always living in a house and I got that dream, and I made that dream come true.
I really like it. This is the best place I ever lived, and my Dad was so happy when we found out about this program and found this place.
From the left: Kristin Martin, HOPE’s Executive Director, and Charles DeCuir, HOPE’s CFO, accepting the Advocate of the Year award on behalf of the organization from Alan Greenlee, SCANPH Executive Director.
We are thrilled to announce that HOPE has been honored with the prestigious Advocate of the Year Award at the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH) 2023 Homes Within Reach Awards Ceremony. This recognition reflects HOPE’s unwavering dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts in advocating for the rights and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Advocate of the Year Award, a highly regarded accolade in our community, is bestowed upon individuals or organizations who have advocated for and advanced essential successes for the affordable housing industry that will have a measurable impact on the lives of low-income members in our communities. We are immensely proud to have our team recognized for their outstanding achievements.
This award recognizes our achievements and serves as a testament to the collective efforts of our entire organization. It is a testament to the passion and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters who work tirelessly to create a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
HOPE and our Regional Center partners are committed to creating safe, stable, and affordable housing for those we serve throughout Los Angeles County. We value providing inclusive homes within the community and least restrictive in terms of opportunities for residents to lead full and active lives. Housing models within our portfolio include Supportive Housing, Independent Living, 24-hour Residential Care, and college-to-career. We currently operate 99 locations that contain 153 units of housing to serve 372 people in 19 unique cities. To learn more about the history of these programs, click here.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to SCANPH for this esteemed honor. Their commitment to recognizing our work has paved the way for positive change in the lives of those we serve.
We also thank the community, partner organizations, and individuals who have supported our advocacy efforts throughout this journey. Your continued support and collaboration are essential to our success, and we are truly grateful.
As we celebrate the Advocate of the Year Award, we are reminded of the transformative power of advocacy. We will continue working to break down barriers, create opportunities, and advocate for an inclusive and equitable society.
The Homes Within Reach Awards are part of SCANPH’s Annual Conference and honor excellence in the affordable housing industry. Selections are submitted by SCANPH members and chosen by an independent and impartial jury of professionals from throughout SCANPH’s regional footprint.
To learn more about SCANPH, visit their website here. To support HOPE’s ongoing advocacy efforts for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, donate today!
The funds will maintain the affordability of our two multi-family homes in Pasadena, preserving those affordable housing units for years to come. The award also supports over $800,000 of capital improvements over the two projects. Thank you to the City of Pasadena for your commitment to our mission!
Brandon Osborne, a HOPE resident for over 8 years, has been elected to join the HOPE Board of Directors. He strongly advocates for affordable housing because having a home to call his thanks to HOPE has changed his life. We congratulate Brandon for joining HOPE's board and look forward to his service supporting all HOPE residents!
We welcomed Councilwoman Kerr to our newly renovated home in her district in Long Beach.
Long Beach District 5’s Councilwoman Kerr meets with HOPE Staff members: Charles Decuir (CFO), Shay Alexander (Asset Manager), and Joel Bautista (Jr. Asset Manager) outside of the HOPE home on Clark Avenue.
by Lauren Quijano-Gin
HOPE continues to forward our mission in Long Beach thanks to our strong community partnerships. We are proud that Councilwoman Kerr visited our newly renovated home located in her district on Clark Avenue in Long Beach at District 5 (which includes neighborhoods of Plaza East and West, Lakewood Village, Bixby Knolls south of San Antonio Drive, California Heights, and Los Cerritos.) This home on Clark Avenue is a beautifully renovated and accessible 7-unit building featuring one-bedroom units and private bathrooms with an onsite laundry near Los Altos Park and a local golf course.
Julio, a HOPE resident living in the Clark Avenue home, was thrilled to offer his apartment for the Councilwoman’s important visit. He gave a tour of his home and shared stories of his life leading up to him moving into a HOPE home. Reflecting on her visit, Councilwoman Kerr said, “I was honored to visit the HOPE Clark Property in Long Beach’s Fifth District. This home gives independence, choice, and dignity by providing affordable housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are extremely low-income and very low-income (below 30%-50% of the area median income). I met with an adult who resides there and he expresses his gratitude to live there, in our community. I am proud to have this development in our district, providing much-needed housing for our community!”
HOPE housing is affordable because it offers affordable rents to Long Beach residents like Julio, who are categorized in the very low-income category, earning below 50% of the area median income (AMI) – which is $41,700 for a household of one person according to the Housing Authority of Long Beach. HOPE residents generally pay around $300 per month on rent, equating to no more than 30% of their income.
Creating affordable housing options is only possible thanks to our long-standing partnerships with cities like Long Beach. For over a decade, the City of Long Beach has provided over $5 million in Community Housing Development Organizations’ (CHDO) HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) loans to make this housing a reality. In fact, HOPE is the only affordable housing organization in District 5 working to serve the I/DD population in the South Bay.
“I was honored to visit the HOPE Clark Property in Long Beach’s Fifth District. This home gives independence, choice, and dignity by providing affordable housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are extremely low-income and very low-income (below 30%-50% of the area median income). I met with an adult who resides there and he expresses his gratitude to live there, in our community. I am proud to have this development in our district, providing much-needed housing for our community!”
Julio loves to cook in his kitchen in his Long Beach home.
At HOPE, we believe in creating inclusive communities for people with I/DD, a population that historically has had the least access to affordable housing in safe communities. HOPE selects locations for our homes that are in safe, accessible neighborhoods. We focus on small-scale housing that allows us to acquire existing single-family residences and small multifamily housing. HOPE is thoughtful about making sure the properties we purchase are located in safe areas with adequate public transportation, services, and amenities nearby, where our residents can easily access job centers and healthcare services. We also make efforts to avoid areas of high pollution.
This success is a testament to HOPE’s long-standing relationship with the City of Long Beach. Affordable housing expert Charles DeCuir, HOPE’s Chief Financial Officer, emphasizes the importance of our city partnerships, “It was great meeting with Councilwoman Kerr, introducing her to our resident Julio, and touring our newly renovated property in Long Beach. The City of Long Beach has been our strongest city partner and has enabled us to move our mission forward, adding 12 affordable housing units in Long Beach. We look forward to working with our city leaders as we explore more innovative ways to create affordable housing in Long Beach.”
We thank Councilmember Kerr and her team for their visit and invite all City partners to join us in the commitment to preserving affordable housing for this incredible community. Indeed, the need for affordable housing is persistent in Long Beach. We are grateful to serve as an expert in providing affordable housing for people with I/DD in this growing city.
HOPE currently operates 42 locations, providing 84 units to 171 Long Beach residents and making up for 55% of our entire housing portfolio (153 housing units in total).
To learn more about how you can create affordable housing for people with I/DD in your city, visit us at http://www.hope-inc.net/initiatives.
Sam enjoying lunch with HOPE staff members.
Stable housing is essential for securing long-term employment. People, especially those with developmental disabilities, struggle to obtain gainful employment and foster meaningful relationships when their primary concern is where they will live. HOPE offers healthy, stable housing that empowers our residents to reach their full potential and take advantage of all the opportunities that life has to offer.
As part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative, HOPE is proud to promote opportunities for people with I/DD.
To empower HOPE to continue to help people with I/DD sustain long-term employment, contribute to this vital work today at www.hope-inc.net/ways-to-give/donate.
