We are proud to congratulate the Berkeley Food & Housing Project’s downtown Hope Center on their ribbon cutting and block party celebration held on October 27. Grosvenor’s North American property business was honoured to partner with the group to provide a financial donation being used to welcome new clients to the center and improve their living experience. The Hope Center provides 53 permanent supportive housing apartments, transitional housing for 12 homeless veterans, a shelter with 32 beds, and several on-site services including healthcare, counseling, substance abuse, mental health, benefits support, job training and job placement. The Hope Center also shares the building with non-profit BRIDGE Housing’s Berkeley Way Apartments, which offers 89 affordable housing units for low-income families.

Located just a block from our multifamily building under development at 1951 Shattuck, which will include 163 rental residences, the donation is part of our longstanding commitment to support the local neighborhoods where we operate. Funds from the donation are being used to provide flat-screen televisions to each of the new Hope Center apartments, gift cards to address critical needs of individual residents, and welcome baskets that provide essential items anyone moving into a new home would need.

 “This contribution has been tremendous by turning what can be a scary and uncertain situation for people who have been living in shelters or on the street into a personal and welcoming experience,” said Amory Sharpe, Director of Development at the Berkeley Food and Housing Project. “Imagine walking into your new apartment and seeing a flat screen TV and large welcome basket including pots and pans, detergent, toiletries, and everything you’d need. It puts a smile on everyone’s face.” 

“The innovative combination of the Hope Center and Berkeley apartments offers a full-service solution for homeless veterans and displaced individuals in need of a fresh start, said Steve Buster, SVP, Development for Grosvenor’s San Francisco office. “It’s our privilege to support and honor our neighbors for the important work they are doing to improve lives.”

Read more: Berkeley opens largest affordable housing development in city history (siliconvalley.com)