Redwood City, CA — Peninsula Health Care District, Gatepath and Housing Choices have formed a partnership to establish the first cooperative living homes in San Mateo County for adults with developmental disabilities.

“The District was provided an amazing opportunity to support two impactful community partners by purchasing two five-bedroom homes in central San Mateo, previously used for residential hospice and now to provide much-needed affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy,” said Lawrence Cappel, Board Chair, Peninsula Health Care District (PHCD).  “This innovative housing model both helps address the housing crisis for our constituents with special needs and brings in a new partner to our District.  Housing Choices will join our longtime partner, Gatepath, in serving their clients with trusted programs and services.”

Gatepath, a 100-year-old nonprofit that provides services to thousands of children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, will provide Independent Living Skills support to the residents through its one-on-one coaching. Each resident will receive assistance with activities such as meal planning, shopping, cooking, budgeting and house cleaning.

Housing Choices, a nonprofit that pioneered the co-op housing model in neighboring Santa Clara County, will assume the property management responsibilities and ensure the co-op homes are occupied by qualified tenants in compliance with screening and waitlist criteria. Housing Choices will provide an on-site support for the residents’ day-to-day experience of co-operative living with housemates.

“There are simply not enough affordable housing options for the growing number of individuals with developmental disabilities who often have lower wages, part-time jobs or depend on Supplemental Security Income,” said Jan Stokley, Executive Director, Housing Choices.  “Many adults seek to live in community rental housing with Independent Living Services funded by the Golden Gate Regional Center but remain in the parent’s home because of the lack of other housing options.”

These cooperative living homes will offer the tenants a private bedroom and half-bath, while facilitating the sharing of the home’s common space. “This model will offer the residents greater independence, responsibility and interpersonal skill-building with their housemates,” Stokley added.

“We are pleased to help bring Housing Choices’ cooperative housing model for people with developmental disabilities to San Mateo County,” said Bryan Neider, CEO, Gatepath. “It’s a great nonprofit solution made possible through innovative collaboration.”

“We need to do all we can to build a healthier and more inclusive society and we can achieve that through integrated housing, which is a priority for the regional center,” said Eric Zigman, Executive Director, Golden Gate Regional Center. “I am so grateful to all three organizations for joining together to make these homes available and affordable for those we serve.  We look forward to working with Gatepath and Housing Choices to best serve our community through this exciting project.”

Interviews for potential tenants will commence within the next six weeks, aiming for full occupancy of the two homes in May.

ABOUT PENINSULA HEALTH CARE DISTRICT

Founded in 1947, the Peninsula Health Care District serves the communities of San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo and Foster City by supporting the unique health and wellness priorities of our Peninsula communities, and safeguarding access to health services, today and in the future. PHCD fulfills its commitment to the community through oversight of District assets and infrastructure, planning for future health care needs, and investing taxpayer dollars in local health-focused organizations and programs. To learn more about PHCD, visit www.peninsulahealthcaredistrict.org.

ABOUT GATEPATH

Gatepath has been a cornerstone of our community for 100 years, providing a lifespan of support services to individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities in the greater Bay Area. Our mission is to empower people with special needs to achieve their full potential through innovative, inclusive programs and community partnerships. With educational, therapeutic, vocational and family support services, we are distinctive in providing support to an individual throughout his or her lifetime. We collaborate with businesses, third party providers, local nonprofits and various organizations to bring the highest quality services to the children, youth and adults in our programs. Together, we are creating a world where people of all abilities are fully accepted, respected and included in all aspects of life – in the classroom, the workplace and in our communities.

BETTER TOGETHER! On July 1, 2019, Abilities United became affiliated with Gatepath, ensuring individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties continue to receive important services and achieve their full potential.

ABOUT HOUSING CHOICES

Housing Choices was founded in 1997 by parents and service providers who recognized that, without access to affordable housing, people with developmental and other disabilities would be unable to make a successful transition from living in the family home to living in their own homes in the community.

In addition to assisting clients to find and apply for affordable housing, Housing Choices has also created a lasting commitment to affordable housing by working with developers at eighteen different Partner Properties. A number of other housing properties with set-aside units for people with developmental and other disabilities are in planning and development. At these Partner Properties, we administer a housing waiting list for set-aside units specifically for people with developmental and other disabilities, and we help current residents successfully maintain their housing stability.