LIGHT TREE & FIREHOUSE SQUARE APARTMENTS

• Learn about Housing Choices�
• Learn about the location and description of Light Tree Apartments AND Firehouse Square Apartments�
• Learn the eligibility requirements for the two properties including Household Size and Maximum Income

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• Understand the preference for people with disabilities for 10 apartments at Light Tree and 8 apartments at Firehouse

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• Understand eligibility for Project-Based Vouchers from the Housing Authority�
• Learn how to submit required pre-applications and the different deadlines that apply�
• Understand the schedule until the expected occupancy date in early summer (1 unit) and Fall 2022 (other units)

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Workshop Goals

Nonprofit provider of housing services for people served by the Regional Center.

Supporting 2,000 people with I/DD annually as well as 340 residents at 24 Properties

Services to apply for and retain affordable housing

Serves Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties

14 more inclusive housing properties in construction and planning

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Light Tree Apartments: 1805 E. Bayshore Road, East Palo Alto

Firehouse Square Apartments: 1300 El Camino Real, Belmont

• Developer Eden Housing
• 185 New or Completely Renovated Apartments
• Studios, 1 BR, and 2 BR apartments
• 89 apartments have Project-based Vouchers which have a preference for people who live/work in San Mateo County
• Other apartments may have HUD rental subsidy (2 and 3 BR units only)
• 10 apartments have a preference for people who have a disability and need Housing Choices onsite resident support services (RC clients should qualify)
• All electric kitchen with dishwasher and AC
• Many community amenities, including pool, basketball court, elevators, parking, onsite manager

Basic Details of Light Tree Apartments

• Developer MidPen Housing
• 66 Apartments on .72 acre
• Transit-oriented location
• Studios, 1 BR, 2 BR and 3 BR apartments
• Some apartments have Project-based Vouchers which have a preference for people who live/work in San Mateo County
• 8 apartments have a preference for people who have a disability and need Housing Choices onsite resident support services (RC clients may qualify)
• Many community amenities, including playground, community room and onsite manager

Basic Details of Firehouse Square

Experienced, Onsite Property Management

• Eden Housing’s property management affiliate will manage Light Tree Apartments.
• Mid-Pen Housing’s property management will manage Firehouse Square
• Both properties will include on-site property management office and an apartment for a property manager who will live on-site
• Both Eden and Mid-Pen have decades of experience managing their own properties.
• Both Eden and Mid-Pen have successful examples of managing properties with some units subject to a preference for people with disabilities who need coordinated onsite services from Housing Choices

Resident Services

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• Eden Housing will offer all residents Resident Services at Light Tree
• Mid-Pen Housing will offer all residents Resident Services at Firehouse Square
• Housing Choices will employ a part-time Resident Coordinator specifically to help residents with qualifying disabilities address any issues affecting their housing.
• Residents served by the Regional Center will also have their own choice of
• Independent Living services or
• Supported Living services
• As specified in each resident’s Individual Program Plan with the Regional Center.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for these two properties?

• Household size is limited based on the number of bedrooms in the apartment
• Preference for people with disabilities is for people who need to receive coordinated services from Housing Choices in order to live successfully in community rental housing.
• Project-Based Voucher preference is for those who live or work in San Mateo County (others can apply)
• For units with Project Based Vouchers, there is no minimum income requirement.
• All apartments have a maximum income limit.
• Firehouse Square has a preference for 4 units supported by Housing Choices for people who have a qualifying disability and are homeless or at risk of homelessness

Eligibility to Apply Depends on Household Size

Households of different sizes are eligible to apply for different sizes of apartments

Eligibility to Apply Also Depends on Income

Because the Disability Units have Project-Based Vouchers, there is no minimum income requirement–only a maximum income requirement. You may apply for other apartments without the disability preference, and if you do not receive a Project-Based Voucher, there may also be a minimum income requirement.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ

Yes. Many of the apartments at both properties have Project-Based Vouchers. For those apartments there is no minimum income requirement.

However, if you are not awarded a Project-Based Voucher, you will want to investigate whether you are still eligible for OTHER apartments at the properties which will have minimum income requirements.

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QUESTION: What if my only source of income is SSI? Will I be eligible to apply for Light Tree and Firehouse?

Yes, you should still apply. The Housing Authority has a preference for those who live or work in San Mateo County, but depending on how many people apply, you may be selected to apply for an apartment because of your need for the coordinated onsite services from Housing Choices for those with a qualifying disability.

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Also you may be selected to apply for other apartments without a Project-Based Voucher.

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QUESTION: Am I eligible to apply for Light Tree and Firehouse Square even if I do not live or work in San Mateo County?

The first step is to enter the lottery by completing the online pre-applications by the applicable deadlines. If you have a qualifying disability, ask for help from Housing Choices and we will assist you if authorized to do so by your Regional Center social worker..

For Light Tree, submit an online pre-application no later than 4 pm on March 23 at https:smc.housingbayarea.org/listings. (Select Light Tree)

For Firehouse Square, submit an online pre-application between March 21 and April 11 at www.midpen-housing.org/firehousesquare

For Project-Based Vouchers at both properties submit an online pre-application to the Housing Authority www.mysmchousing.com no later than April 4 at 5 pm (Select both properties and indicate eligibility for supportives services preference and live/work preference in San Mateo County if applicable)

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QUESTION: How Do I Apply for the Lottery for these two properties?

ANSWER

If you have a qualifying disability, ask for help from Housing Choices and we will assist you if authorized to do so by your Regional Center social worker..

You’ll need to contact your Regional Center social worker and explain the upcoming deadlines and ask them to authorize services for Housing Choices as soon as possible.

Your Social Worker will need the following info to authorize our services:

Vendor Name Housing Choices

Vendor Number HS0887

Service Code O89 Subcode A7H

Units Authorized: 48 hours in total (not monthly)

Start Date: ____, 2022

End Date: June 30, 2022

Please state “open until cancelled” so that roll-over is permitted

QUESTION: This sounds complicated! How can I get help?

Yes. You can apply for apartments with Project-Based Vouchers as long as one person in the household (even a child) is documented to be a citizen or other legal resident. But the rental assistance from the Housing Authority will be prorated based on the number of people in the household who are not documented.

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In addition, both properties have some apartments that are affordable to some households without Project-Based Vouchers. These apartments will have minimum income requirements but are open to households even if there is not at least one household member who is a U.S. citizen or other legal resident.

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QUESTION: Am I eligible to apply if I am undocumented?

No. The 10 units at Light Tree and the 8 units at Firehouse are for people with disabilities who need the specific, onsite housing support services that Housing Choices will provide.

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The Housing Authority has approved a screening tool to determine each person’s need for Housing Choices’ onsite services. If you think you need Housing Choices’ onsite supportive services, please contact openings@housingchoices.org and we will communicate with you about the screening tool.

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TIP: You should still apply even if you do not need Housing Choices’ services because there are many other apartments at both properties besides the ones supported by Housing Choices.

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QUESTION: Am I eligible for the specific apartments that have a disability preference if I do not need supportive services from Housing Choices?

The Housing Authority will conduct a lottery for people who applied for apartments with Project-based Vouchers.

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The lottery will randomly rank the people who submitted the pre-application by the deadline.

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The Housing Authority will apply preferences for the disability units and send that information to Housing Choices.

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We will then contact you about how to participate in the complete application process, depending on your ranking in the lottery.

QUESTION: What Happens After I submit the Online Pre-applications?

QUESTION: When will Light Tree Apartments be ready for move-in?

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Some apartments will be ready for occupancy in the summer of 2022. Other apartments will not be ready until Fall of 2022 or Winter of 2023. Construction delays may change these dates. You should submit the pre-applications by the deadline even if you are not sure if the dates will work for you.

QUESTION: When will Firehouse Square Apartments be ready for move-in?

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All of the apartments at Firehouse are expected to be ready for occupancy in September 2022. Construction delays may change this date. You should submit the pre-application by the deadline even if you are not sure the dates will work for you.

Questions and Answers

�Please ask for help from Housing Choices if you are served by the Regional Center!

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Email openings@housingchoices.org

Or call 408-713-2623

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