Rob Fredericks, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Deputy Executive Director/CAO, addressed guests and recognized program partners and community leaders at the 10th Anniversary celebration for El Carrillo, a permanent, affordable housing development for homeless individuals. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) celebrated the 10th Anniversary of El Carrillo, the first development of its kind in Santa Barbara to offer permanent, affordable housing with supportive services for homeless individuals. El Carrillo was completed and opened to residents in September 2006, with onsite supportive services provided by PathPoint, the Housing Authority’s partner in this innovative program.
”This major milestone proves that with great partnerships, community engagement, and a dedicated and compassionate Housing Authority team, innovations in affordable housing can work in communities of any size,” said Rob Pearson, CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. “Continued innovations in housing are vital to the lives of our most vulnerable and the health of our entire community.”
Speakers at the September 15th celebration included Mayor Helene Schneider; David K. Hughes, Chair, HACSB Commission; Rob Pearson, Executive Director & CEO, HACSB; Rob Fredericks, Deputy Executive Director/CAO, HACSB; Jennifer Newbold, Vice-President, PathPoint, Behavioral Health Division; Alice Gleghorn, Director, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness and a graduate of El Carrillo who had been formerly homeless for 40 years. Certificates of recognition were presented on behalf of Congresswoman Lois Capps, Assemblymember Das Williams and County Supervisor Salud Carbajal
El Carrillo, a 61 studio-unit development financed through public/private funding of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, is an example of a project born out of the recognized need that to successfully transition into, and maintain, permanent housing, simply providing a roof over one’s head, without the social service counterpart, is not enough. Since inception, HACSB partnered with the local agency PathPoint to provide the multidisciplinary services. PathPoint has been a leader in the field of supported employment and housing support services to people who are usually underserved. On-site coordinators and counselors with PathPoint provide free case management, mental health counselling, on-site workshops and classes for El Carrillo residents, in addition to a wide range of residential, day programs, and employment services.
About PathPoint: PathPoint’s philosophy celebrates the belief that all individuals, especially those with disabilities or disadvantages, can achieve self-sufficiency and dignity when the proper supports are in place. For more than 50 years, the goal at PathPoint has been to help build vital communities—places which foster independence, dignity and work with a spirit of pride. Much of their work is regionally focused, yet they preserve a broad vision: to make a difference, every day, in the lives of participants, while celebrating their fullest potential. Please visit the website at www.pathpoint.org.
About the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara: The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is a local public agency created for the purpose of providing safe, decent, and quality affordable housing and supportive services to eligible persons with limited incomes, through a variety of federal, state, local and private resources. Since 1969, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara has developed and/or secured over 3,400 units of affordable rental housing for Santa Barbara through a variety of federal, state, local and private funding sources. Please visit the website at www.hacsb.org.