Crossway Residences Ribbon Cutting

421 El Dorado Street,Stockton CA 95203

26 May, 2021

Description

Join us as we celebrate the completion of the final phase of Crossway Residences: in partnership with HACSJ and Behavioral Health Services. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin (HACSJ), in partnership with the San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services (SJCBHS), have completed the third and final phase of Crossway Residences, an adaptive reuse conversion of HACSJ’s former administrative offices into studio apartments for SJCBHS clients. SJCBHS, through the Mental Health Services Act, awarded HACSJ a grant to renovate and convert the former commercial property. HACSJ provided the land and the buildings, while the partnership renovated the studio units at a cost-effective price of $150,000 per door. SJCBHS offers supportive services to residents, and the units are reserved for SJCBHS clients. In addition, HACSJ is offering rental subsidies through the Housing Choice Voucher program. The Crossway Residences includes three buildings, two of which had been a part of HACSJ’s former administrative offices: Crossway at Center Street (Phase 1 of the project, fully occupied in December 2020); Crossway at Park Street (Phase 2, fully occupied in February 2021); and Crossway at El Dorado Street (Phase 3, which just finished construction and is expected to reach full occupancy in early June). Behavioral health staff will be on site daily to offer therapeutic groups and services to support residents. In addition, units are reserved for 20 years to provide housing to SJCBHS clients. In total, there are 39 units to house and help those in need. “We took an underused asset and turned it into affordable housing that’s permanent and supportive—this is an investment in this neighborhood. Given the difficulty and cost of new construction, adaptive reuse makes sense,” said Peter W. Ragsdale, Executive Director of HACSJ. “Housing is in crisis in California, and we should be looking everywhere to transform underutilized properties into homes. The service dollars BHS is spending are far more effective when folks are stable and affordably housed.” “This is a success story for all of us as a community,” said Tony Vartan, Director, SJC Behavioral Health Services. “I get goosebumps thinking about this accomplishment. And we will be expanding more of these types of opportunities through our partnerships to make sure we get people off the streets and come up with those opportunities for individuals to have a quality life. That’s what it’s all about.” An immense need for affordable housing exists in our region, demonstrated by the most recent homeless count which identified 1,558 people living unsheltered in San Joaquin County, with 59% in Stockton alone. Additionally, last year 7,945 unduplicated individuals were identified living in shelters and on the streets of San Joaquin County. Partnerships like this create housing opportunities to help vulnerable citizens gain access to long-term housing while receiving the ongoing support and resources they need. “Partnerships produce housing, and we are grateful that the County shared our vision of what’s possible,” Ragsdale added. “The individuals who are living in these apartments can build a future in whatever path they choose as housing instability in their lives is solved, and we’re excited to do more. We have purchased the adjacent property for the subsequent development of 38 adaptive reuse and new construction apartments.’