What a Week – Independence Within Access: Nonprofit Acquires New Townhouse for Renters with Disabilities | News

An important non-profit organization in the region recently announced two major positive developments in its mission to support a truly underserved segment of society.

Tri-Valley REACH, which provides affordable housing options to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them live as independently as possible, has purchased a new townhouse in Livermore and is on its way to adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) at two of its existing Pleasanton property locations .

This paves the way for eight more residential tenants to be taken off the long waiting list and moved into new housing units, a notable increase in such a short time for a small nonprofit that currently counts 42 tenants between its properties in the two cities.

“This is an exciting period of growth for REACH,” Pat O’Brien, treasurer of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said in a news release Tuesday. “These projects address the growing need for safe, affordable and accessible housing options within the Tri-Valley.”

The REACH model, officially named Community Resource Education and Housing Activities for Adults with Special Needs of Tri-Valley, involves purchasing townhomes, duplexes or townhomes and renting the units at an affordable price to adult tenants with developmental disabilities.

As its slogan says, the nonprofit aims to provide housing opportunities that are “the key to independence.”

O’Brien added: “At REACH, we transform a home beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a space for inclusion, where every modification and renovation paves the way for independence.”

To that end, the nonprofit is making major improvements to the 1,700-square-foot Camden Common townhouse built in 2016 and featuring three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. REACH converts an existing bedroom into a fourth bedroom, expands the powder room into a full bath and adds a second access point to the master bathroom.

They hope to be in a position for tenants to move in by the end of December or early January, according to Kay King, board president.

O’Brien also noted the neighborhood’s appeal toward encouraging a thriving independent lifestyle for renters, as Camden Common is located in Springtown with easy access to restaurants, shopping and public transportation.

The rental fees will be income-based, like other REACH properties, meaning rates as low as $350 per month that can help low-income adults with special needs achieve the reality of living on their own, according to the nonprofit.

The Livermore acquisition was a below-market-rate home provided to REACH by the city government, which the nonprofit worked with to purchase two townhouses in Station Square in 2019. The deal on Camden Common closed in mid-August for $321,500, according to the home. Sales data was compiled by California REsource and published in Weekly magazine.

The nonprofit specifically called out support from Livermore Mayor John Marchand, City Manager Mariana Maricheva, and City Housing Programs Director Fran Reisner for being “instrumental in moving this acquisition forward.” Susan Schall of Park46 Real Estate also waived all brokerage fees and commissions to support the deal.

REACH’s other new endeavor, which is also supported by the local government, is an ADU installation that is planned at two of its homes in Pleasanton: one funded by Alameda County and the other in financial partnership with the City of Pleasanton.

Both ADUs have received approvals from city planning officials, and the nonprofit is currently in the contracting phase of the process, according to King.

Although Tri-Valley REACH publicly promoted the two projects through a press release this week, the news was first announced to a group of supporters at the annual “REACH for Your Dreams” fundraiser last month at McGrail Vineyards.

“It was a lovely, warm evening with the highlight being REACH’s charming and fun resident speaker, Connor, who shared how much he values ​​his independence, how much he has learned, and most of all, how he encourages anyone with a disability to try.” He also added that he loves living in a house REACH and that one of his roommates is now his best friend,” King told me about the fundraiser.

“This event raised 60% more than previous years and guests were very enthusiastic and involved in making donations to Fund A Need, which focused on Camden home improvements,” she added. “All in all, a great success!”

To learn more about Tri-Valley REACH or to contribute, visit www.trivalleyreach.org.