About Us

The St. Michaels development will enhance the neighborhood by beautifying the site and maximizing a currently underutilized, partially vacant property on which the existing church sits. This project will help fill a growing need for permanent housing opportunities for Riversides homeless population by providing fifty new affordable units, twenty-four designated for those experiencing homelessness, among a diverse array of amenities, open spaces, and services. The site is located within close proximity to the additional public, social, and health service providers. The site is also well served by public transit with access along with both Jackson and California Streets, further connecting residents to the services designed to help them maintain stability and wellness in their lives.

The project will provide 50 one and two-bedroom rental units in two adjoining two-story walk-up-style buildings. The land for the building will be leased from St. Michael's Episcopal Church. The low two-story design with ample setbacks and parking evokes a mission-style layout allowing residents to enjoy open space within the site.  The housing development is configured as two adjoining residential buildings, integrating the supportive housing units with the other affordable units.  The residential units are connected to the on-site property management office and property managers unit. Adequate spaces for programming, designed in partnership with service providers to accommodate their needs, are provided and include private case management offices with room for individual and group meetings.

Additionally, the newly designed St. Michaels site will provide a variety of outdoor community spaces ranging from more public to more private and designed to serve the different emotional and social places residents experience while they live here. Amenities designed to promote interaction among residents include a courtyard area, gathering circle, and play area.  In addition, Seeds of Hope and the Church have developed a plan for an urban farm on-site, utilizing edible landscaping, native plants, and a community garden to promote sustainable, healthy living.  Produce grown onsite will be a resource for meals prepared in the onsite commercial kitchen where residents can learn basic cooking skills.  As part of the comprehensive repositioning of the existing site, a new friary, chapel, and parish hall will be added.  The additional structures have been thoughtfully designed to seamlessly integrate with the housing and provide opportunities for church programs to have a positive influence on the residents and the community.