January 23, 2019 – Hospitality House, Nevada County, the Regional Housing Authority are working together to expand affordable housing and supportive wrap-around services in a day services center with the Brunswick Commons Resource Center project. The Nevada County Board of Supervisors took another step towards achieving this vision yesterday by passing two resolutions approving Nevada County to pursue state and federal grant funding through the No Place Like Home (NLPH) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
“Yesterday was a big day for our homeless residents, but it was also a big day for the entire community,” said Nancy Baglietto, Executive Director at Hospitality House. “In partnership with the County, the City of Grass Valley and Regional Housing Authority, and with the Board’s unanimous approval, we’ll create a welcoming day services center for those in need, in addition to 40 units of affordable housing. This will be a tremendous community benefit.”
Earlier this month at the Board’s January 8th meeting, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hospitality House, the County and the Regional Housing Authority to partner on the development of the Brunswick Commons project and approved the purchase of 5 acres of property for the project off of Old Tunnel Road with existing SB90 state reimbursement funding. The MOU partnership and the purchase of property demonstrates a serious commitment to the project and strengthens the joint NPLH application.
“There is a real need for housing here,” said Leo Granucci, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hospitality House. “We’ve been working on a strategic vision to help more homeless residents achieve housing stability. It’s been very encouraging working with the County, the City and Regional Housing Authority to take a vision and to make it a reality.”
The vision includes providing services such as mental health care, substance use services, linkage to physical health care, housing retention skills, educational services, employment services, and more. Many community partners who currently work together to provide homeless services, including Hospitality House and Nevada County Behavioral Health, will be able to provide these services in one coordinated and easily accessible location.
“I think all of us can all agree that expanding the number of affordable housing units is an important goal for our community. The addition of the Brunswick Commons Resource Center would further enhance our community’s ability to move our homeless population to a better place by giving them the tools they need to gain stability in their lives.”
Hospitality House and Nevada County will submit their joint application next week. If funding is granted, this project will fulfill two of the Nevada County Board of Supervisors’ six top priorities: to leverage resources to address housing affordability issues through partnerships with other jurisdictions, potential developers and the housing authority; and to implement a 24/7 service pilot program under a housing first model to offer services to the County’s homelessness population. The project also aligns with Hospitality House’s mission to assist homeless residents in transitioning from homelessness to housing, and the long-term vision of providing permanent supportive housing to County residents.