First Community Housing

Join #FCH on Mon., 5/17 for the Affordable Housing Showcase! Hosted by Catalyze SV, Meriwest Credit Union & the Health Trust, this event will present some of the best affordable housing developments in our county and you can vote on your favorites! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/showcasing-noteworthy-affordab

If you are interested in learning more about our McEvoy Apts and Dupont Apts developments in downtown SJ, join us for a community info meeting on 5/13, 4:30pm. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-meeting-for-the-mcev

The mayors of the Bay Area’s three largest cities are pushing back after they were denied key affordable housing funds a shutout they say could cost the region 3,000 desperately needed homes this year and jeopardize future efforts to fight the housing crisis.

CalFresh offers up to $234 a month per household member, and during the pandemic, everyone will get the maximum benefit for their household size. Learn more here: www.getcalfresh.org. #FoodJustice

First Community Housing is working with the City of Santa Cruz to build 100 units of #AffordableHousing in the downtown corridor: https://goodtimes.sc//future-of-affordable-housing-santa-/

Join SVatHome this May for Affordable Housing Month - Silicon Valley where we can learn, engage, and act on affordable housing solutions TOGETHER. #FCH will be there! Learn more here: bit.ly/svhousingmonth2021

#CurtnerStudios refreshed, updated units are available this spring! If you are looking for a #studio apartment, come check out this beautifully rehabbed property today! Rents start at $693! https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/property-curtnerstudi

We’re enjoying this beautiful mural in our office recently painted by Lacey from #empire7studios! https://www.empiresevenstudios.com/blog-empiresevenstudios- #artoftheday #artmakesushappy

What does #FCH do? Glad you asked! Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/7RvV91GzIng.

#IamesiVillage construction progress! The building will be devoted entirely to #veterans, permanent supportive housing and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. #FCH #HousingFirst #WeAreGreenBuilders https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/property-future-iames

Our team is growing! We're looking for a #SeniorProjectManager to manage the #development of an assigned group of projects from feasibility analysis through #construction. Contact Regina Celestin Williams, [email protected]. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/career #FCH

#FreshApproach Mobile Farmer's Market will be starting a new route tomorrow, 2/23 at Troy Apartments, 714 S Almaden Ave., San Jose. They’ll be at Troy on Tuesdays from 12-3pm at and Orchard Gardens Apartment (245 W Weddell Dr, Sunnyvale) on Thursdays, from 12-3pm. https://www.freshapproach.org/mobilemarket/ 50% DISCOUNT for shoppers receiving CalFresh (SNAP), WIC, SSI, SSDI, Medi-Cal or Unemployment benefits

It's Random Acts of Kindness Day! Here are some ideas on how we can all spread some kindness today and everyday https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/.

#TBT to the #FCH team planting a Pollinator Garden for Guadalupe Apartments in 2020. #GoodThings2020

#IamesiVillage progress! Sheetrock, doorways and more, oh my! 135 more affordable units on the way, San Jose. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/property-future-iames

Excellent #GreenTips for January!

The San Jose COVID Food Relief Program delivers free weekly local groceries and prepared meals to residents who have faced financial hardship, or are at high-risk for severe illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit OFFTHEGRID.COM/SJFOODRELIEF

#HappyNewYear from all of us at #FCH!

We're looking for a Senior Project Manager to manage the development of an assigned group of projects from feasibility analysis through construction. Interested? Send your resume to Regina Celestin Williams, [email protected]. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/career

Hey look! #FCH joined #MBEPartnership and we made their newsletter: https://mailchi.mp//laying-the-foundations-for-economic-in

If you would like to help support our efforts in providing free #HealthyFood to FCH residents or help bridge the digital divide, you can do so by donating online here: firstcommunityhousing.org/donate. All funds will go toward ensuring #FCH residents receive the help they need.

#FCH currently has NINE buildings under development including, Iamesi Village and Leigh Avenue under construction, Curtner Studios is both under new construction + rehab, our Roosevelt project is in Plan Check, new construction at Orchard Gardens is in entitlementswhew, stay tuned for more! #AffordableHousing #EquitableCommunities #WeAreGreenBuilders

As more of our households are required to be online for work and remote schooling, we want to ensure #InternetAccess is not a barrier. #FCH is upgrading our free communal Wi-Fi internet services and equipment at 17 of our properties. #ResidentCentric

Warm holiday wishes from FCH!

Be sure and sign up soon as spaces are filling up fast for the #NPH Brown Bag event on Thurs., 10/29, Improving Workplace Culture: How To Create Equitable And Inclusive Work Spaces (12pm - 2pm). FCH’s Regina Celestin Williams will be presenting at the event! https://bit.ly/34qgf21 #EquityDiversityInclusion

If you, or someone you know, is looking for an affordable place to live, check out our resource pages: https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/propertyportfolio #AffordableHousing #SeniorHousing #DisabilityHousing

The #FCH partnership with #FreshApproach #MobileFarmersMarket is now in its 3rd week! Open to the public, the truck goes to: San Jose, Guadalupe Apartments Tuesdays, 25pm Sunnyvale, Orchard Gardens Thursdays, 123pm. Stop by for fresh #fruit + #veggies!

Here’s the scoop on our MFE Award: https://www.multifamilyexecutive.com//san-jose-development

The #FCH offices will be closed Dec. 21 through Jan. 1 in observance of the holidays. We’ll return on January 4. #HolidayClosure

#FCH offers #DigitalLiteracy programs facilitated by Kristen Yamada where attendees receive a free iPad! One resident noted, "I wanted to thank you again for all your efforts in the Digital Literacy Class and for my ability to have an iPad. This is my 88th day of "Shelter in Place." I use the iPad almost daily for a Face Time chat with my daughter and for my weekly tutoring with my learner, and use much of what you taught me to make my phone, my laptop, and my iPad talk to each other. Your input in my life has been a Godsend. So many, many thanks."

We are hiring! #FCH is looking for a Senior Project Manager to manage the development of an assigned group of projects from feasibility analysis through construction. Interested? Send your resume to Regina Celestin Williams, [email protected]. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/career

#WeAreGreenBuilders

As an organization that is resident-centric in everything that we do, #FoodSecurity and #InternetAccess have become key issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve stepped up our efforts to provide free, healthy food to those residents who need it by partnering with Fresh Approach at several of our properties and their Mobile Farmer's Market stops at two additional properties. Loaves and Fishes is now providing food to one of our senior complexes, and of course, our ongoing programs with Valley Verde who assist us in planting and maintaining healthy fruits and vegetables at several properties.

You can donate stock to #FCH by going to our website here: firstcommunityhousing.org/donate. Thank you.

#TBT to last week's Wall Street Journal article on our downtown San Jose project! https://www.wsj.com//facebook-pledges-150-million-to-build

Monday, Oct. 19 is the last day you can register to vote in the November election. Your voice matters - vote! You can register online here: https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Good advice from County of Santa Clara Public Health Department!

For #TBT, enjoy this video of the Grand Opening of 1585 Studios: https://youtu.be/X_x7FPdPxG4!

If you would like to help support our efforts in providing #FreeHealthyFood to FCH residents and help to bridge the digital divide, you can do so by donating online here: firstcommunityhousing.org/donate. All funds go toward ensuring FCH residents receive the help they need and will have long-lasting impact on our community.

On Tues., Oct. 27 from 3 - 4:30 pm #SPUR will host the virtual 2020 Silver SPUR Awards, recognizing 3 exceptional awardees: Kofi Bonner, Carla Javits and john a. powell. In addition to honoring these remarkable civic leaders, the celebration will also feature a special conversation between the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah and SPUR President and CEO Alicia John-Baptiste. Register for free at spur.org/silverspur.

If you shop on #Amazon, you can make a difference during Amazon Prime Day deals on October 13 & 14. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0119210 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to First Community Housing! #ThankYou

In an increasingly digital world, technology and #DigitalLiteracy are tools that provide access to many resources, especially now when work and school are taking place remotely. #FCH supports residents in accessing technological tools with free Wi-Fi for all properties and on-site computer labs at over half of the portfolio.

#FCH will be closed today. You can learn more about the Indigenous peoples who historically populated the SF Bay Area here: https://native-land.ca/.

Look what came in the mail last week! Geoff Morgan was named a #USGBC 2020 Leadership Award recipient and the plaque commemorating the award is gorgeous! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R5XT2G6rzQ #Congratulations #GreenLeadership #AwardWinner

We’re looking forward to #GreenBuild2020! The conference and expo is virtual this year and will be held Nov. 10-12, 2020. Details: https://www.greenbuildexpo.com/en/home.html

Are you shopping on Amazon this holiday season? There's an easy way to support #FCH when you shop! Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0119210 and make FCH your designated charity today. #ThankYou

#FCH President & CEO, Geoff Morgan discussed the importance of affordable housing at the #USGBC Equity Summit Challengers and Champions workshop yesterday. More events here: https://www.usgbc.org/event/usgbc-equity-summit-fall-2020

#TBT to this case study https://prod-hml.s3.amazonaws.com//FCH_Case-Study-final-re initiated by Healthy Materials Lab in collaboration with First Community Housing, OJK Architects and Housing Choices Coalition in San Jose in November 2015. Research demonstrates that substantial human health risks can result from exposure to toxic chemicals present in exterior and interior constructed environments. These health risks can include increased cases of asthma, cancer and developmental and reproductive health issues. The health risks are particularly high for children, pregnant women and people living in poverty. The research in this case study focuses on the interior environment within affordable housing developments.

#GreenTips for December! Don't take a holiday from #recycling!

Today, Facebook, Destination: Home, and LISC announced a new $150M #CommunityHousingFund to build homes for extremely low-income residents in the Bay Area. This addresses an urgent housing need amid the pandemic. Through these key partnerships, investments and policy change, we can create more resilient communities in the Bay and beyond. #FCH is pleased to a partner in this important endeavor. https://about.fb.com//facebook-invests-150-million-in-aff/

Did you receive a copy of our e-news today? Here's a link: https://conta.cc/3g8HVws. Sign up to receive future news on our website, firstcommunityhousing.org .

#FCH is looking for a Senior Project Manager to manage the development of an assigned group of projects from feasibility analysis through construction. Interested? Send your resume to Regina Celestin Williams, [email protected]. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/career

Construction is moving along at Iamesi Village, with sheetrock going up inside! Units are devoted entirely to veterans, permanent supportive housing and people with intellectual / developmental disabilities. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/property-future-iames #FCH #HousingFirst

According to the US Dept. of Transportation, transportation expenses consume 19% of the average American family’s income! #FCH helps residents reduce their transit costs and carbon footprint by providing free VTA Smart Passes to each resident and offering bicycle programs. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/alternativetransporta

We’re hiring! We're looking for a Senior Project Manager to manage the development of an assigned group of projects from feasibility analysis through construction. Interested? Send your resume to Regina Celestin Williams, [email protected]. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/career

#TBT to the AIA CA Urban Design Committee Townhall, Live/Work, Work/Live where #FCH President and CEO, Geoff Morgan was a panelist and discussed how we address the issue [Geoff starts at 26:00]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQNN4BLYFtM

Thank you to all those who donated yesterday for the #GivingTuesday global event! We cannot do our work without big-hearted donors like you. Your generosity will help. We #ThankYou from the bottom of our hearts.

Today is #GivingTuesday! If you’d like to help the people that #FCH serves, please donate today! Your donation will help support programs like free #HealthyFood, #DigitalLiteracy, #CommunityGardens, and #TransitPasses. https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/donate #ThankYou

If you are looking for #HealthyFoodAccess check out our website here: https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/healthyfoodaccess. We list who to contact when you are in need of emergency food, resources that offer financial assistance for food, and we even offer some #Nutrition basics. #FoodJustice

If you are shopping on Amazon today during their #BlackFriday event, please consider this easy way to support #FCH when you shop! Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0119210 and make First Community Housing your designated charity. #ThankYou

We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and Native American Heritage Day on Friday as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This month was established to honor and recognize Native Americans as the first people of this nation and to celebrate both their cultural heritage and integral importance to our past, our present, and our future.

#GivingTuesday is in one week! Your donation to #FCH will help support programs like free healthy food, #DigitalLiteracy classes, #CommunityGardens, and transit passes. #FoodJustice https://www.firstcommunityhousing.org/donate #ThankYou

Love this comment from Living Standard! "In fact, in big bold print on the First Community Housing website, it says: We care about the quality and durability of our buildings and the health of our residents. Geoff's work has always been about that about a person’s mental health. About their physical health. About their financial health. If anyone understands the profound connectivity between healthy people, in healthy places, equating to a health economy, it is Geoff. T...hank you for your leadership." And we couldn't agree more!

If you are thinking of shopping on Amazon during the Thurs., 11/27 #BlackFriday event, please consider this easy way to support #FCH when you shop! Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0119210 and make First Community Housing your designated charity. #ThankYou

Construction is progressing at Leigh Avenue with a completion date of early 2021! Units are devoted entirely to chronically homeless seniors - residents will be selected by the Co. of Santa Clara OSH and the SCC Housing Authority. http://ow.ly/f8sF50CntCO #FCH #HousingFirst

Our own Geoff Morgan was a speaker today at the AIA California Urban Design Committee 3rd Fall 2020 Town Hall on the trending topic of Live/Work + Work/Live. #ResilientDesign #LifeAfterCOVID

We are #thankful for our volunteers, supporters, staff, board, and those we serve.

In this time of uncertainty, there's a fundamental truth that gives us hope - that together we can do extraordinary things. Join us on #GivingTuesday and let’s rally to ensure that everyone is housed in affordable, healthy, thriving, environmentally sustainable communities.

#ThankYou #Google and #HTSV for your commitment to being a part of the #AffordableHousing solution!

We believe that excellent design provides for healthy thriving communities who can take pride in where they live and provide benefits for health and the life cycle of our communities that far outweigh the costs, and First Communities Housing President and CEO Geoffrey Morgan.

#FCH President and CEO, Geoff Morgan has been named a 2020 Leadership Award recipient by #USGBC! Geoff noted, I am deeply humbled by this great honor, which I will accept on behalf of all of the excellent staff of FCH, builders, designers and other partners who made this achievement possible. http://ow.ly/nsTw50ChQjw #Congratulations #GreenLeadership #AwardWinner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R5XT2G6rzQ

#TBT all the way back two weeks! Second Street Studio’s architect, Rob Wellington Quigley Architects received the AIA Silicon Valley 2020 Design Award. Jurors noted, We all agreed that the mission of affordable housing, which is so incredibly important as a social and ethical goal for our communities, was met or exceeded by the S 2nd Street mixed housing project. This was critical in California where the cost of housing has driven so many working people to homelessness. This... project impressed us. It deserves recognition because it was designed so efficiently and built affordably. Everyone appreciated what it was able to achieve in terms of density and performance as a LEED platinum certified development, with livable features such as a public facing exterior and personal and public space for the occupants throughout. Here’s a link to the presentation (2nd St is at 28:00): http://ow.ly/YXrK50ChPAt #Congratulations #GreenDesign #AwardWinner See more

Thank you to all who have served we honor you today and every day. We hope everyone has a Safe & Healthy #VeteransDay.

As part of our sustainable efforts to bring food programs to residents, #FCH has launched a Little Free Pantry at Casa Feliz Studios in SJ! Residents can take what they need and leave anything if they have extra to contribute. It is modeled after the popular Little Free Library movement. Casa Feliz is the first location for our pilot program, with Creekview Inn, Japantown, and Craig Gardens soon to follow. More on #LittleFreePantry here: www.littlefreepantry.org. #FoodJustice

Mark your calendar! Dec 1 is #GivingTuesday. How will you give? Let’s rally to ensure that everyone is housed in affordable, healthy, thriving, environmentally sustainable communities.

Do you shop on Amazon? There's an easy way to support #FCH when you shop! Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0119210 and make FCH your designated charity today. #ThankYou

#FCH will be at the Greenbuild Virtual Event 2020 next week on Nov. 10-12. Join us! https://invt.io/1edik2hl8u9 #greenbuild

Here is your November #GreenTips focused on a balanced diet. Stay healthy! #EatHealthy

Have you been watching FCH’s Iamesi Village construction progress!? Here’s the latest from L&D Construction. The building will be completed in 2021 and is devoted entirely to #veterans, permanent supportive housing and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Residents will be selected by the Veterans’ Administration, the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing, and Housing Choices Coalition. #FCH #HousingFirst #WeAreGreenBuilders

The architect for #FCH Second Street Studios, Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA Architecture/Planning has won the 2020 #AIASiliconValley Design Award for the building! #Congratulations #GreenDesign #WellDeserved

In case you missed this in the #SJMercuryNews this morning! The project will provide much-needed affordable homes for more than 360 households adjacent to what promises to be the grand central station of the West. Geoff Morgan, FCH CEO https://www.mercurynews.com//downtown-san-jose-affordable/

Worth celebrating! The project will provide much-needed affordable homes for more than 360 households adjacent to what promises to be the grand central station of the West. Geoff Morgan, FCH CEO

#Thanks to #FCH Digital Literacy Program Manager, Kristen Yamada, for ensuring important #ResidentServices continue safely, even during the COVID-19 crisis! #ResidentCentric #LifelongLearners #DigitalLiteracy

Earlier this month, residents at #FCH's Curtner Studios had an extra special delivery! Curtner staff put together and delivered their annual party, since residents can't yet gather. Shout out to FCH volunteers Bianey and her daughter Sophie! #ResidentCentric #thoughtful

59% of Black Renters Behind on Rent Fear Eviction Due to Continued Effects of Pandemic https://chpc.net/59-of-black-renters-in-california-fear-ev/ #FCH is committed to practicing anti-racism within our own sphere of influence to bring justice, heal wounds, create meaningful dialog and build #EquitableCommunities.

Hey look! #FCH joined #MBEPartnership and we made their newsletter: https://mailchi.mp//laying-the-foundations-for-economic-in

Here’s the scoop on our MFE Award: https://www.multifamilyexecutive.com//san-jose-development