Groundbreaking for new disabled adults housing set for May 3, in Santa Ana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2012

CONTACT: Lani Shotlow-Rincon, 213-480-0809 x226

A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS BREAKS GROUND FOR VISTA DEL RIO, A NEW DEVELOPMENT SERVICING DISABLED ADULTS IN SANTA ANA, CA

Los Angeles, CA. – A Community of Friends (ACOF), Foundation for Affordable Housing (FFAH), and AMCAL Enterprises will celebrate the ground breaking of Vista Del Rio, a new development in Santa Ana, CA. Vista Del Rio is a 41-unit, new construction project that will provide developmentally and physically disabled adults with high quality affordable housing with modern amenities and on-site services.

The ground breaking will take place on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at 1:00pm. The event will be held at the Vista Del Rio development site located at: 1600 West Memory Lane, Santa Ana, CA.  

Vista Del Rio is designed to serve those with disabilities by providing high-quality affordable housing with modern amenities and on-site services. Built in the craftsman architectural design, the building will feature studios, and 1- and 2- bedroom apartments offering contemporary living for tenants, with balconies overlooking the site or courtyard, storage space, and modern kitchens and bathrooms.

“A Community of Friends is excited to expand our housing expertise to Vista Del Rio, a new housing development focused on adults with developmental disabilities. We believe an affordable home is essential to allow people with  special needs to not only build healthy, independent lives but to thrive,” said Dora Leong Gallo, Chief Executive Officer of A Community of Friends.

To provide the most convenient living environment for tenants, all kitchens are handicap accessible and have garbage disposals, dishwashers and other amenities. The appliances will be energy-efficient models to further reduce costs for tenants. The building is served with large walkways and courtyards featuring a central gathering area with fountain, picnic tables and seating for tenants.

Services for tenants will include social service programs designed to increase or maintain the independence of tenants with disabilities. Training programs will focus on independent/support living training, vocational services and tenant-requested services in response to regular surveys.

Vista Del Rio will be built to exceed Title 24 energy standards and to LEED Silver certified standards. The building includes environmentally sensitive “green” building materials and standards. In addition, the building will feature:

• High speed internet service free of charge to all tenants.
• Kitchens designed to accommodate handicap turning radius requirements.
• Community rooms with a full kitchen, seating area, computer room, lounge, and management offices.
• Extensive landscaping and a central courtyard with a fountain surrounded by picnic tables and bench seating.

The Vista Del Rio project is designed to offer the maximum in comfort, security, convenience and livability, with careful thought given to maintaining the costs of construction within a reasonable level to accomplish this goal.

“To many, this groundbreaking looks like a beginning.  For the Foundation, it represents a seven year labor of love that is finally moving from dream to reality.  We are tremendously excited to take this next step, and we are grateful for all of those who so generously participated in giving Vista del Rio life.  It will be a blessing to its neighborhood and to the future residents who will call it home,” said Deborrah Willard, President of Foundation for Affordable Housing.

ABOUT A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS

A Community of Friends (ACOF) is a regional nonprofit affordable housing developer whose mission is to end homelessness for people living with mental illness through the provision of quality permanent supportive housing.  Since 1988, ACOF has completed over 1,300 units in 35 buildings in Los Angeles and Orange counties, with six other projects currently in construction. ACOF’s goal is to create a stable housing environment where persons with special needs can build independent lives. For more information, please visit our website at www.acof.org.

ABOUT FOUNDATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Since its formation in 1988, the mission of Foundation for Affordable Housing has been to create safe, comfortable, high-quality, affordable homes for very-low-to moderate-income people. By using creativity, flexibility, and perseverance, the Foundation has developed more than 10,000 units of affordable housing in over 100 rental communities located in California, Colorado, Texas, and North Carolina.

ABOUT AMCAL ENTERPRISES

AMCAL was founded in 1978 and incorporated in 1984.  It focuses on the affordable housing sector, including family and senior apartments. AMCAL strives to develop high-quality, service and amenity-enriched housing for families and individuals at all ranges of the economic spectrum, from special needs to homeownership.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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