Officials with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced this month that eight Community Care Expansion (CCE) program grants totaling $112.8 million in funding have been awarded to new housing projects across the state. CCE projects – many of which are already underway – will create new housing at licensed adult and senior care residences, permanent supportive housing sites, and other housing options, including a first-of-its-kind housing project on Tribal lands for elders. These housing options, which also includes a site in San Joaquin County, will offer an array of services to support independent living for older adults and adults with disabilities who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Additional information on CCE program grantees and awards is available on the CCE data dashboard.
“The CCE program is doing amazing things to fund local housing with care for those most in need, and with each new round of grant funding, California is able to launch new projects,” CDSS Director Kim Johnson said. “We’re grateful to Governor Newsom, the Legislature, and all our partners for making this happen. Together, we’re strengthening our communities so every person can thrive.”
Nearly $570 million is now invested in local communities, utilizing all CCE grant funds. Housing projects are underway across the state which will produce over 3,000 new beds/units in California. This latest round of awards will create new local housing projects in the Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, San Diego County, and Mendocino County.
Making A Difference
Real Care – Seniors Housing Redevelopment, Bakersfield, was recently awarded $14,000,000 to create 300 beds/units by rehabilitating a current facility in Bakersfield. The new residences will serve older adults experiencing mental health illnesses, substance abuse, and psychological disabilities who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The CCE program is also supporting Tribal communities, funding projects that will provide much-needed housing and services to Tribes where elders can receive housing and care in a location that is familiar, surrounded by friends and family, while incorporating the cultural values of each Tribal grantee. For example, the Pala Band of Mission Indians was awarded $8,309,610 for a 32-bed residential care facility for the elderly which will provide 24-hour care and supervision for residents. The Indian Health Council will be supporting the Pala Tribe with this new housing project.
Real Progress
Some CCE housing projects are nearing completion, while others will soon be breaking ground in communities across the state. To date, four CCE housing projects providing 158 beds/units have completed construction and are in the process of initiating move-in. The following facilities will begin serving people in the months ahead:
The Neighborhood Village in San Joaquin County will provide permanent supportive housing for older adults and people with disabilities. This 53-bed/unit supportive housing facility was funded through a $4,220,282 CCE grant.
Nevada Ranch House in Nevada County will soon begin providing housing for individuals experiencing homelessness who have severe and persistent mental illness. This six-bed/unit supportive housing facility was funded through a $2,893,867 CCE grant.
Psynergy’s Vista Esperanza in Sacramento County will soon begin providing residential care to Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) recipients or people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. This 54-bed/unit residential care facility for the elderly was funded through a $8,475,724 CCE grant.
An additional 11 projects representing 229 beds/units have also broken ground.
California’s population living in chronic homelessness is aging and an increasing number of older adults are facing homelessness. Among single homeless adults, nearly half (48 percent) were 50 years and older. Among single adults 50 years and older, 41 percent became homeless for the first time at age 50 or older. Through the CCE program, California is creating new places that can provide housing and services to older and disabled Californians who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
These investments support Goal One of California’s Master Plan for Aging, a blueprint to prepare the public and private sectors for demographic changes. Goal One targets delivering new housing options for older adults and people with disabilities by 2030. Furthermore, these investments are integral to the State’s commitment to addressing gaps in the care continuum to care for older adults as well as adults with behavioral health conditions or disabilities in the least restrictive settings.
These grants provide for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and construction of adult and senior care facilities as well as other community-based residential care settings, such as permanent supportive housing and recuperative care sites. Projects are continuing their progress toward project implementation, including contract execution, funds disbursement, property acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and resident move-in.
Also, the CDSS has awarded $247 million to 34 participating California counties through the CCE Preservation program for the preservation of existing adult and senior care facilities serving applicants and recipients of SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). To date,18 facilities at risk of closure have contracted with counties through the CCE Preservation program to continue serving their communities.
