 
September 1, 2006
By Chris Meagher, Daily Sound Staff Writer
HOUSING FACILITY OPENS
City officials prepare to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new El Carrillo
homeless apartment complex yesterday.
SANTA BARBARA DAILY SOUND / Janelle Holcombe
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Planners, politicians and advocates for the homeless population came out yesterday morning to the grand opening of the brand new, 61-studio apartment complex, also known as the El Carrillo Studios.
The studios will provide affordable housing to the homeless, or those threatened by homelessness.
"I want to tell you how proud I am that when I turn off the highway, as we all do, and to see that hallmark entrance to our city is El Carrillo," said U.S. Rep. Lois Capps. "We're turning this building into life and opportunity.
"I can't help but think of those who will be here, whose lives will be touched by being here."
El Carrillo will increase the total number of permanent, affordable housing units or beds for the homeless in the county by 11 percent, from 545 to 606.
The total project costs $10 million -- $2 million from City Redevelopment Agency money and $8 million from the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.
The Housing Authority bought the property in 2002 and in a two-year period it went up $1 million.
The rent will be quite low -- about $350 to $440 a month.
But if people are unable to pay for their rent with the income that they have, there are programs and subsidies available for them, including one which would have the tenant put one-third of their income towards rent, and the rest would come in the form of a grant or subsidy.
There is also an endowment available for future residents.
"We must fill the gap in availability and affordability," said Housing Authority CEO Rob Pearson.
Each studio is 260 square feet and has a kitchen area and a small bathroom, already equipped with dishes, plates and linens, items which those coming off the streets might not have or be able to afford.
Santa Barbara Housing Authority CEO Rob Pearson sits inside one of the
newly-completed apartment units built to provide housing for the city's homeless.
SANTA BARBARA DAILY SOUND / Janelle Holcombe
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The complex will also have on-site social services, to help with job training and mental health.
Santa Barbara has set the example for not just the county, but for the country.
"I ask that other South Coast jurisdictions take a program from the Santa Barbara playbook," Pearson said.
"My reason for being here is to take this place as best as I can bundle it up," Capps said. "I'm proud to represent an area where they've taken on a plan, daringly, to end chronic homelessness.
Chronic homeless people -- those who have one or more disabled conditions and have had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years -- comprise 10 to 15 percent of the total homeless population.
This program is part of a 10-year plan that is being developed to put an end to that population.
"South Coast and North County, conservative and liberal, Democrat and Republican, we have all come together and agreed that success in this endeavor requires moving beyond our jurisdictional and political boundaries and instead, working collaboratively and cooperatively," city council member Helene Schneider said.
The complex is unique in that it provides on-site social services to those living there, to help them get on their feet.
"In working with the homeless population, this model only exists in a few places," said work program CEO Cindy Burton. "If we don't bring it to them, they might not go to it."
All those in attendance seemed to share the same vision for the new building -- that lives would be changed in it.
"I'm really glad we're here today," said Mayer Marty Blum. "This building is for people in need.
"Sometimes people in need need a fresh, new start and this building will give them a fresh new start." |
