(WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- City and county officials gathered with developers to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new affordable housing project, River Grove.
Of the 37 units to be located at 641 5th Street, 18 will be designated for individuals with disabilities, 14 for extremely low-income families, and the remaining four will go to veterans at risk of homelessness. One unit will house a live-in manager.
Councilmember Dr. Dawnté Early described how personally important this type of development is to the community, and she expressed her pride in the teams that came together for it.
“My family relied on public housing and affordable housing programs in order for us to be able to make West Sacramento our home," Early shared.
Photo- Concept Rendering / Operative Office
“River Grove apartments show,” Early continued, “What we can achieve when we are staying focused, creative, and united around the needs of our community.”
West Sacramento and Yolo County Housing partnered with Brinshore Development, the company that brought us The Huddle on 5th. Brinshore Co-Founder David Brint told the crowd about the company’s 30-year commitment to including special-needs housing set-asides in its projects.
Brint said, “We are really hoping that, um, we do change the lives of the families or the people who end up living in our, in our building.”
Photo Credit: Louise Skeirik
Concerning those 18 units reserved for individuals with disabilities, they’ll all be for clients of the Alta California Regional Center (ACRC). This private non-profit corporation is contracted with the California Department of Developmental Services to provide assistance to individuals with a developmental disability under the Lanterman Act.
ACRC Executive Director Lori Banales spoke about the dignity, opportunity, and independence stable housing can give to people with developmental disabilities. Dedicated projects like River Grove are essential; not only for material reasons, but because is tells an underprivileged demographic that they are valued.
Banales declared, "River Grove is designed to ensure individuals with developmental disabilities are fully integrated into the broader community.”
Funding came from several sources. A combination of grants, loans, and tax credits covered most of the project. However, as the project was finalized, a gap was found. Between tariffs, inflation, and fewer Low-Income Housing Tax Credits than expected, River Grove was short 3 million dollars.
In November of last year, the City agreed to close the gap. West Sacramento’s endeavor to directly support its residents in need continues.
When talking about this decision, Councilwoman Early said, “I think it reflects our commitment.”
River Grove is one stoplight away from Sutter Health Park. It’s within eyesight of a dog-friendly coffee shop.
Photo Credit: Louise Skeirik
As the sun shone and the wind blew, all 9 speakers put on hard hats and hi-vis vests, then grabbed golden shovels.
On the count of three, they all dug into the ground and flung dirt into the air. After the official ceremony, various groups took turns being photographed in front of the Yolo County Housing sign. More than once, the wind threatened to knock the sign down and towards the road.
In every picture she appeared in, Councilmember Quirina Orozco tried to get her group to pose with her – sometimes serious, sometimes silly.
As always, if you have anything to add to this report, please reach out at sarahlouise.s@lead4earth.org.
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