Item 8.2 - Habitat for Heroes OF
CITY OF POWAY ~
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jim Cunningham, Councilmember
DATE: April 1, 2014
SUBJECT: Habitat for Heroes
With the loss of the Redevelopment Agency, and most of the funding to provide for
State-mandated affordable housing units, cities throughout the State are looking for
creative ways to build affordable housing without putting too much of a burden on their
general fund.
One such program is the CalVet / Habitat for Humanity program (Habitat for Heroes)
that provides for funding and housing for our honorable Veterans. Many return home
from service to our country only to find that they cannot afford to buy a home and raise
their families in quality communities such as Poway. This program seeks a partnership
with our City to provide affordable housing for our Veterans, with minimal funding from
the City, while at the same time satisfying some of the State's mandated housing needs
for our community.
This unique, joint state and non-profit venture provides affordable home-ownership
opportunities for military veterans. Low mortgages are made possible through generous
monetary, material, labor and land donations, and also through a required 500-hour
time commitment from the military member who will benefit from the new housing.
Thus far, Habitat for Heroes has built homes in the California cities of San Juan
Capistrano, Santa Clarita Valley, and Sylmar. Additional homes will be built in the near
future in the cities of Cypress, Santa Ana and La Habra.
I propose that the City Council request staff to pursue further discussions and
negotiations with Habitat for Humanity and CalVet to evaluate the feasibility of
developing affordable housing for veterans in our community.
1 of 1 April 1, 2014, Item #8.2