Families Archives - Los Gatos News And Events

San Francisco opens inexpensive housing complicated Metropolis Gardens for previously homeless households

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 05:50:05 +0000

A new affordable housing complex with on-site support services for families transitioning from homelessness opened Wednesday in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood.

The City Gardens complex at 333 12th St. adds 200 units to the city's inventory of permanent supportive housing. This is housing that includes long-term rental assistance and supportive services ranging from education and job training to health care. The new complex will increase the number of such residential units for families in the city by more than 20 percent.

The building and its services will be funded with $100 million from the city's Our City, Our Home Fund, a tax on businesses that generate gross receipts of more than $50 million. It was approved by voters as Proposition C in 2018.

City Gardens apartment complex at 333 12th St. in San Francisco.

City of San Francisco

The project was supported by an additional $56.7 million from the state's Homekey program, which funds a variety of permanent housing options as part of addressing a housing crisis declared in 2019. The city funded with Homekey funds.

“The City's investments in shelter, housing and prevention across our system make a difference for people and our neighborhoods every day, and we will continue to work to bring stability and hope to those most in need,” said San Francisco Mayor, London Breed, in a statement statement.

San Francisco Administrator Matt Dorsey said the project will provide families exiting homelessness a place to call home.

“The opening of City Gardens provides safe housing for San Francisco families at a time when it is desperately needed. It’s more than just a building, it’s a sign of our commitment to helping our most vulnerable neighbors,” Dorsey said.

On-site social services, including case management and mental health counseling, are provided by the nonprofit organization Abode Services. Other building amenities include common areas, resident lounges on each floor, a rooftop terrace, offices and a bicycle repair shop.

“City Gardens is a wonderful family project that we are happy to be a part of,” said Louis Chicoine, CEO of Abode Services. “We are grateful to have been commissioned by the City and County of San Francisco to operate such a beautiful and meaningful building where many San Franciscans live today.”

Under Proposition C, the city imposed a tax on annual gross receipts of businesses over $50 million to fund supportive housing and other solutions to the city's homelessness crisis. Legal challenges delayed the implementation of funds for city projects until the 2020-21 fiscal year.

More from CBS News

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Outside Adventures for Households in Marin and the Bay Space

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 04:03:42 +0000

Point Bonita Lighthouse, Marin Headlands

With the spectacular weather we’ve been having, now is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore Marin and the Bay Area with the kiddos! Here are a few of our favorite local outdoor adventures that are perfect for families with small kids. My kids have been visiting these places since they were little and still enjoy going on a family outing to them today.

Crissy Field is a fantastic destination for walking, bicycling, kite flying, or playing at the beach. It offers a waterfront promenade and trails that are popular with dog walkers, runners, cyclists, and families, and the water here is perfect for wading and playing in the gently lapping waves. Lawn areas and picnic tables, some with charcoal grills, are available, too, so bring a picnic and your beach blanket and umbrella and spend the day. The backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the Marin Headlands is simply amazing, too.

The Marin Headlands has much to offer for families and is one of our favorite destinations for a day of outdoor adventure. Wildlife, beaches, history, natural beauty, sweeping vistas of the Pacific and San Francisco — the Headlands has all that and more. The hike to Point Bonita Lighthouse is exciting and has amazing views, Rodeo Beach is always a great place to spend an afternoon exploring and watching the surfers and dolphins playing in the waves, and South Rodeo Beach is a secluded spot that’s far less busy than its neighbor to the north.

China Camp State Park, located along San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, is one of Marin’s hidden gems. Families with kids will want to check out the beach, explore the historic Chinese fishing village, and take an easy hike on the Turtle Back Nature Trail. The Quan Bros. snack shop at the village is open on weekends for food, cold drinks, and ice cream.

The Point Reyes Visitor Center near Olema is one of our favorite destinations for a family adventure. Take a walk on the Earthquake Trail, which tells the story of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and its effects on Point Reyes, visit the Morgan Horse Ranch, check out the exhibits in the visitor center, and have a picnic on the sprawling grounds, which have picnic tables and charcoal grills.

The amazing Tolay Lake Regional Park near Petaluma is a great destination for a family outing with picnic areas, miles of paths and trails, and even some friendly farm animals to visit (including goats, chickens, and Pete the miniature horse). Most of the trails here are easy enough for families with kids, and there’s always something to see. The park offers events throughout the year, including organized hikes, a “family farm chores day” where kids can help feed the animals, and the Tolay Fall Festival each October.

One of our favorite Marin County coastal destinations for families is Drakes Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore. Drakes Beach is sheltered from the weather, so when it’s windy, foggy and inhospitable at the lighthouse or North Beach, it will often be warm and sunny at Drakes. During the months of winter, you’ll often find enormous northern elephant seals camped out on the beach here. It’s quite a sight to see, and there are usually rangers or volunteers on hand to help explain what’s going on.

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San Francisco’s New Division of Early Childhood Needs to Make It Simpler for Households to Get Backed Little one Care

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 23:56:03 +0000

The new department is aiming to unify these resources and services. “Family [will] have access to the information that they need, not only around what’s available in their neighborhood or in the area that they’re looking for, but also what financing is available for their child care,” she said. This will allow families to see whether they are eligible for federal, state or local funding.

How will this new department work to ensure equity in the kinds of families that it serves?

“Our focus is always going to be families who are in greatest need,” Mezquita said. “We want to make sure that the services and supports are meaningful.”

Mezquita said their goal is to reduce or eliminate racial disparities. “We’re in this unique position where not only are we going to be funding child care, but we’re also looking at children in a holistic way,” she said. She said this will include looking at comprehensive services and ensuring there are no gaps or missing links to support children and their families.

When are you expecting expanded services to be available to families?

“We were just approved as a new department, so we’re building that infrastructure,” said Mezquita. “We’ve already expanded eligibility for families who are making up to 110% of area median income, meaning that if you’re making roughly around $120,000 or below, you may be eligible for child care financing through our department.”

How will families benefit from the merging of two separate departments?

Mezquita said the information will soon be in a centralized place, and the department will be able to provide families information in multiple languages, “not only for their child care, but also for their child’s well-being,” she added. “San Francisco has an array of services and supports for families. And one of the most difficult thing has been being able to find them.”

When can San Francisco families access the information?

Mezquita said she’s hoping it will be accessible in the next few months. “We already have a portal, which is where families can find child care: Early Learning San Francisco. You can easily find child care in your area. You can see what you’re eligible for in case you’re eligible for any financial assistance .”

How do I access the California State Preschool Program?

If your family is seeking access to the California State Preschool Program, you’re automatically eligible for the early education program if you’re already enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, WIC or Head Start.

Once your child is enrolled, the new law guarantees two years of care and education. Previously, families were granted only 12 months of service and had to reapply for an extension.

Where can I find affordable, quality child care elsewhere in California?

A new state-funded website helps match families struggling to find affordable, quality care with providers. Mychildcareplan.org launched on October 11, and lists every licensed provider in California and their safety record, including their history of inspections and any citations they may have received; their vacancies; the type of care they provide; and the language(s) spoken at their center.

The new website consolidates information from each of the state’s 58 local child care resource and referral agencies, connecting families to child care, financial aid and other services. It also aims to better serve parents and caregivers who may work in one county but live in another.

“You can enter your ZIP code, you could enter the city, and then it does radial search depending on … your filters,” said Linda Asato of the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network. “You’re no longer just bound by the information at that one agency.”

The website is free and does not charge a subscription fee for parents or providers. It can be used in English, Spanish, traditional Chinese and Vietnamese.

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San Francisco plans to buy 200 models to deal with homeless households | The Fs

Fri, 27 May 2022 08:32:11 +0000

A sparkling seven-story building on 12th Street could soon play a key role in not only getting homeless families into housing, but helping them avoid displacement outside of San Francisco.

Earlier this month, Mayor London Breed announced The City’s plans to buy City Gardens, a residential building South of Market that would provide permanent supportive housing to families experiencing homelessness.

If the Board of Supervisors approves the deal, it would be the first building The City has purchased and dedicated exclusively to families under Breed’s plan to add 1,500 units of permanent supportive housing to The City’s growing portfolio by June.

It’s long overdue, according to advocates and service providers for homeless families. Permanent supportive housing is a model that ensures tenants an affordable place to live, for as long as they would like, coupled with an array of social services such as mental health treatment.

For many families, permanent supportive housing can be preferable to options like rapid rehousing, a different support that provides short-term financial help to a person or family experiencing homelessness so that they can find a new home in the private market.

Rapid rehousing is intended as a quick fix that steps in when someone has an unexpected major issue, such as loss of a job or medical event that results in homelessness. While effective at mitigating homelessness in the near term, rapid rehousing has unintended consequences, advocates for homeless families point out.

Mary Kate Bacalao, director of external affairs and policy at Compass Family Services, said rapid rehousing can amount to “state-subsidized displacement.”

Because the financial assistance is temporary, it’s possible they could find a place in San Francisco but would be unable to pay for it once the money runs out, risking homelessness over again.

This issue is well-documented in high-cost housing markets in San Francisco. In 2018, the San Francisco Public Press reported most families that received rapid rehousing assistance were moving to more affordable housing markets throughout the Bay Area.

Rapid rehousing clients can end up as far away as Sacramento, according to Kyriell Noon, CEO of Hamilton Families, a nonprofit like Compass that connects families with rapid rehousing support. The distance makes it difficult to stay engaged with clients and ensure they’re connected to support services, Noon said. And, because people of color are disproportionately in need of housing support, the consequences are especially dramatic, Noon said.

“Rapid rehousing inadvertently is hastening the exodus of Black and brown low-income folks out of The City,” Noon said.

Advocates say rapid rehousing has its place, but it’s not the best fit for everyone. “The most vulnerable families need supportive housing,” Bacalao said.

And yet, in the absence of adequate permanent supportive housing, it’s the most vulnerable families that rise to the top of the priority list and thus are directed into rapid rehousing, Bacalao said. That’s why The City’s purchase of the building at 333 12th St. would be pivotal.

There’s a communal lounge and laundry room on every floor, an outdoor courtyard and even a place to store bicycles.

The building won’t come cheap — the proposed deal totals $145 million — but it’s essentially brand new, opening just last year. And it could be ready for new tenants in a matter of months.

Built as a co-living space, where single rooms are rented out and tenants share common spaces like kitchens, it’s replete with 200 units that The City views as a good fit for families experiencing homelessness.

And in San Francisco, there are hundreds of such families, often invisible because they’re living in cars or crashing on couches.

According to the most recent Point-in-Time Count, the biennial census of The City’s homeless population, there were 208 homeless families in 2019.

Advocates warn the actual number is probably much higher, as the Point-in-Time Count uses the narrow definition of homelessness set by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development.

Still, the 200 new units of supportive housing would be a welcome start.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s great and I’ll take it,” Noon said.

ashanks@sfexaminer.com

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Households Name for Justice, Accountability from Antioch Police – CBS San Francisco

Sun, 01 May 2022 15:44:06 +0000

ANTIOCH (KPIX) — Families demonstrated in front of the Antioch Police Department on Saturday to demand transparency and accountability related to in-custody deaths.

This came as the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Attorney announced last month it had launched an investigation into multiple Pittsburg and Antioch police officers.

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“We’ve joined the club that nobody wants to be a member of,” said Robert Collins, stepfather of Angelo Quinto, who died in police custody on December 23, 2020.

About 30 people gathered to listen and share stories of alleged police brutality. Some families accused Antioch police of killing their loved ones.

“When Angelo was killed, there were two crimes committed that night. One was his actual death. And the second one was the cover up,” said Collins.

Quinto’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Antioch. They claimed an officer put his knee on the 30-year-old man’s neck for almost five minutes, cutting off his oxygen.

“This process of grief that’s always going to be prolonged because we don’t have any sense of closure,” said Quinto’s sister, Bella Quinto Collins.

The family said it trusted the police. That was why they called the police for help when Quinto was dealing with mental illness.

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“Such a life-changing moment that you will never forget that,” cried Quinto’s mother, Cassandra Quinto-Collins.

Some demonstrators are even asking for the ouster of the Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston.

“We are calling for Sheriff Livingston to resign in light of his irresponsible and dangerous remarks made following the sentencing of Andrew Hall. If he doesn’t resign, we’re calling on the Board of Supervisors to at least publicly censor him. And if neither of those happens, we’re calling on the public to vote him out this June,” said Veronica Benjamin, co-founder of police watchdog group Conscious Contra Costa.

The FBI and the Contra Costa County district attorney are investigating multiple Pittsburg and Antioch police officers. Pittsburg police said three officers are on paid leave during the investigation.

But Antioch has so far to decline to say how many of its officers are under investigator. The DA’s office and the FBI declined to say what the investigation was about or answer any questions.

Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe said he fought for police reform and will work with the new interim police chief to bring change to the department.

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“We are moving in advancing police reform and I know change doesn’t happen overnight. And I know some people are frustrated,” said Mayor Thorpe.

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Sonoma County Rising Efforts To Discover Foster Dad and mom, Adoptive Households – CBS San Francisco

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 21:35:58 +0000

SANTA ROSA (CBS SF/BCN) – Sonoma County officials announced this week they are ramping up efforts to recruit foster parents and adoptive families to address a shortage of foster homes in the county.

County officials announced an expansion of a partnership with the national group RaiseAChild to recruit families willing to take in foster children, according to a news release issued Friday.

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The county has entered into a $25,000 contract with RaiseACild for a year-long campaign of community events and multimedia promotions to raise awareness of the needs of local children in foster care.

Fifty to 75 local children are in temporary housing in the county, most at Valley of the Moon Children’s Center — the county’s emergency shelter for youth — according to Meg Easter-Dawson, program development manager for the county’s Department of Human Services’ Family, Youth and Children’s Division.

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“We are experiencing a shortage of foster homes for the children and teens in need,” Easter-Dawson said in the statement. “Valley of the Moon Children’s Center is meant to only provide temporary housing for up to 10 days. But we have children, especially teens, who must stay much longer because we don’t have a foster home for them to go to. Not having a stable foster home just furthers their trauma and makes it harder for them to heal.”

Learn more about the benefits of becoming a foster or foster-to-adopt parent by attending a free informational meeting on Zoom. The next webinar in English will be held on Thursday, May 12 at 6 pm and the next webinar in Spanish will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at 6 pm

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For more information, see Advocate@RaiseAChild.org or call (877) 417-1440. More events and information are on the nonprofit’s website.

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San Francisco plans to buy 200 items to accommodate homeless households

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 02:51:59 +0000

A sparkling seven-story building on 12th Street could soon play a key role in not only getting homeless families into housing, but helping them avoid displacement outside of San Francisco.

Earlier this month, Mayor London Breed announced the city’s plans to buy City Gardens, a residential building South of Market that would provide permanent supportive housing to families experiencing homelessness.

If the Board of Supervisors approved the deal, it would be the first building the city has purchased and dedicated exclusively to families under Breed’s plan to add 1,500 units of permanent supportive housing to the city’s growing portfolio by June.

It’s long overdue, according to advocates and service providers for homeless families. Permanent supportive housing is a model that ensures the tenant an affordable place to live, for as long as they would like, coupled with an array of social services like mental health treatment.

Rapid rehousing is intended as a quick fix that steps in when someone has an unexpected major issue, such as loss of a job or medical event that results in homelessness. While effective at mitigating homelessness in the near term, advocates for homeless families point out rapid rehousing’s unintended consequences.

Mary Kate Bacalao, director of external affairs and policy at Compass Family Services, said rapid rehousing can amount to “state-subsidized displacement.”

Since the financial assistance is temporary, it’s possible they could find a place in San Francisco but would be unable to pay for it once the money runs out, risking homelessness all over again.

This issue is well-documented in high-cost housing markets in San Francisco. In 2018, the San Francisco Public Press reported most families that received Rapid Rehousing were moving to more affordable housing markets throughout the Bay Area.

For Hamilton Families – a nonprofit that, like Compass, connects families with rapid rehousing support – a rapid rehousing client can end up as far away as Sacramento, according to Kyriell Noon, CEO of Hamilton Families. It’s difficult to stay engaged with a client that’s so far away and ensure they’re connected to support services.

Because people of color are disproportionately in need of housing support, the consequences are especially dramatic.

“Rapid rehousing inadvertently is hastening the exodus of black and brown low-income folks out of the city,” Noon said.

Rapid rehousing has its place, but it’s not the best fit for everyone.

“The most vulnerable families need supportive housing,” Bacalao said.

And yet, in the absence of adequate permanent supportive housing, it’s the most vulnerable families that rise to the top of the priority list and thus are directed into Rapid Rehousing, Bacalao said.

That’s why the city’s purchase of the 12th Street building would be so pivotal.

There’s a communal lounge and laundry room on every floor, an outdoor courtyard, and even a place to store bicycles.

The building at 333 12th Street won’t come cheap – the proposed deal totals $145 million – but it’s essentially brand new, opening just last year.

And it could be ready for new tenants in a matter of months.

Built as a co-living space, where single rooms are rented out and tenants share common spaces like kitchens, it’s replete with 200 units of housing that the city views as a good fit for families experiencing homelessness.

And in San Francisco, there are hundreds of such families, often invisible because they’re living in cars or crashing on couches.

According to the most recent Point-in-Time Count, the biennial census of the city’s homeless population, there were 208 homeless families in 2019.

Advocates for the homeless warn that the actual number is probably much higher, as the Point-in-Time Count uses the narrow definition of homelessness set by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development.

Still, the 200 new units of supportive housing would be a welcome start.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s great and I’ll take it,” Noon said.

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San Francisco plans to buy 200 items to accommodate homeless households

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 00:51:19 +0000