The Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing was established in 1989, by the Housing Authority of the County of Merced. The Director of the Housing Authority believed there was a need for more affordable housing within Merced County, but as a Housing Authority, the agency was unable to produce new housing. The Federal Government had, for all practical purposes, removed itself from the development of affordable, low-income housing, creating the opportunity for a local non-governmental organization to collaboratively put together funding programs from within the community to meet local housing needs.
The Coalition is committed to making safe, decent, affordable housing available to people that could not otherwise afford it. The Coalition is dedicated to providing service-enriched affordable housing for low-income families, the elderly and the handicapped. We work to combat community deterioration and to lessen the burdens on government. Our vision is for all people to enjoy quality affordable housing regardless of age, income, national origin, color, sex, or religion, and for all persons to have access to necessary services in order to maintain a self-sufficient and independent lifestyle.
Original Projects
The Coalition’s first development was a 27-unit project consisting of three and four bedroom duplexes located in the City of Merced. After reviewing several alternatives, the Coalition decided to contract with the Affordable Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) for financial services. A package was developed utilizing property the Coalition received from the City of Merced. That project remains the first tax credit project developed by the Coalition. At that time, the Coalition also entered into an agreement with the City of Merced to rehabilitate and manage a 7-unit project consisting of one studio and 6 two-bedroom units. The Coalition completed rehabilitation work and took over ownership of these units which are still fully occupied with low-income families. With completion of these projects, the Coalition was on its way to developing affordable housing and collaborating with local agencies to bring its and their goals to reality.
CHDO Funding
The Coalition received Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status with our local Participating Jurisdiction, the City of Merced, which agreed to work with the Coalition in meeting its goal of developing affordable housing. Our first CHDO monies were used to purchase a Victorian house which was moved, rehabilitated and is remains occupied today by a low-income family.
Since its first year as the City’s CHDO, the Coalition has received set-aside funds for fiscal years 95/96, 96/97, 97/98, 98/99, 99/00, 00/01, 01/02, 02/03, 03/04, 04/05, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08, 08/09, 09/10, 10/11, 11/12, 12/13, 13/14, 14/15, 16/17, 17/18 and 19/20. We work closely with the City of Merced to clean up blight and develop affordable housing that meets everyone’s goals.
In a similar fashion, the Coalition has worked with the City of Turlock purchasing, developing, and/or rehabilitating single family homes throughout the City for use as affordable rentals. The Coalition has served as the City of Turlock’s CHDO and received its 00/01, 01/02, 02/03, 03/04, 04/05, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08, 11/12, 12/13 & 14/15 CHDO set-aside of HOME funds. These funds have been used for a number of projects including a new construction 44-unit Senior Complex and assisting the City with a mixed use project that included a 104-unit component.
Homeownership Program
The Coalition’s partnerships with the cities of Merced and Turlock go beyond just providing new affordable housing to area residents. One of the Coalition’s goals is to help low-income families become homeowners. The Coalition works with tenants during a five-year period hoping to empower them to make sound financial choices which inevitably lead to home ownership. During this five-year period tenants attend homeownership classes, credit counseling, budgeting, home maintenance, housekeeping and money management classes geared to assist them in better financial planning, spending, and saving, again with the ultimate goal of responsible home ownership.
Area Multi-Family/Senior Projects
1995 – The Coalition purchased a 50-unit Section 8 project-based senior apartment complex, Merced Golden. This project used HUD funding and maintains full occupancy status.
1995 – The Coalition was awarded HOME funds from the 1995 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for a 60-unit multi-family complex in Planada. This site is completed and maintains full occupancy status.
1996 – The Coalition successfully negotiated an agreement with the City of Merced and AHDC for the development of a 100-unit senior citizens’ complex, Sierra Meadows. Located in close proximity to the Senior Citizens’ Center in Merced the complex is now managed by another company and maintains full occupancy status.
1997 – The Coalition successfully applied and received HOME funds for a project in Hanford which is completed and maintains full occupancy status.
2002 – The Coalition successfully applied and received HOME funds for a project in Farmersville which is completed and maintains full occupancy status.
2003 – The Coalition received 2003 HOME funds for a second phase to Green Street Townhomes in Dinuba. This project is completed and maintains full occupancy status.
2003 – The Coalition began construction on a 204-unit Affordable Housing Development in the City of Merced known as The Grove. The Coalition worked with the City to see this project become a reality. Financing included HOME and Section 108 funds from the City of Merced and the project was completed in 2004. Today the complex is near rental capacity and provides project-based rents to tenants.
2005 – The Coalition began construction on a 44-unit affordable housing senior complex in the City of Turlock known as Crane Terrace Apartments. Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing worked closely with the City of Turlock to ensure the City’s vision came to life. This project was funded with Redevelopment Agency funds, HOME funds and tax credits.
2006 – The Coalition completed development of a 30-unit complex located in Mammoth, California which remains fully occupied. Funding included HOME funds from the Town of Mammoth and tax credits from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
2013 – The Coalition completed development of a 66-unit multi-family complex, Gateway Terrace, in Merced. A project-based voucher complex this facility is fully occupied. Funding from the City of Merced consisted of HOME funds and CHDO funds. In addition there are tax credits, and funding from the Mental Health Department of the County of Merced.
A list of our tax credit projects will be provided upon request for a complete overview of units completed by the Coalition throughout California.
To date the Coalition has completed over 280 projects state-wide providing over 20,000 units of low-income housing to California low-income families.
Social Services
The Coalition has grown through the years and with that growth has come additional servicing opportunities for low-income families. One of these opportunities is providing life skill classes and after-school programs for our residents to name a few. These programs grew out of a grant opportunity from HUD in approximately 2001, which allowed the Coalition and Housing Authority of the City of Merced to create life skill classes for individual/families. Classes are geared to help residents become self-sufficient, enhance their job skills, and provide resources in the areas of health, wellness, and nutrition. Youth classes offer tutoring, behavior, health, and educational lesson plans.
To date the Coalition has provided social services and supportive service classes to over 100 development and served over 7,223 people. The Coalition believes that housing might be the first step towards ending homelessness but social services and supportive service classes are important for housing retention and becoming economically independent.
Summary
The Coalition is dedicated to the original intent of the organization, in that we are working diligently to increase the inventory of decent, safe and affordable housing to persons and families of low and moderate income throughout the valley, who could not otherwise afford it. We are willing to work with anyone or any agency that will help us with this goal and, so far, we have been successful.
Christina Alley, Chief Executive Officer, has been with the Coalition since its creation. She assisted in drafting the non-profit corporation documents as well as developing many programs for the agency. She has had the honor of seeing the corporation grow and meet its objectives through the years.
The Coalition receives legal assistance from Robert Haden of the Law Firm Robert Haden Professional Corporation, located at 2241 “N” Street, Merced, CA 95340.