Affordable Housing in Clovis
Safe, affordable housing is a priority in Clovis, where targeted efforts including grants, loans, self-help programs, and home repairs have improved living conditions for more than 1,200 low-income homeowners the past 15 years.
Providing loans of up to $25,000 at zero percent interest, the Clovis Home Improvement Program makes it possible for low-income homeowners to repair and improve their residences. A grant program – meaning recipients do not have to repay the funds – makes available up to $2,000 for qualifying low-income senior citizens who live in mobile homes in need of repairs. In addition, for two consecutive years, many low-income Clovis home owners have received new roofs, painting and new fences through World Changers. World Changers has come to Clovis for the past three consecutive years and we anticipate they will come one more time this year. Other projects by a collection of agencies has helped to increase the supply of affordable housing over the years, including Habitat for Humanity, the Clovis Unified School District, CURE – the Coalition for Urban Renewal Excellence, Fresno City College students, University HOPE, volunteers, and Self-Help. Homes built through these programs are sold to low-income families. At this time, one or two homes are built each year and they are sold to a qualifying low-income family.
Summer Youth Employment Program
Because oftentimes aging homeowners are not able to keep up with repairs, the Summer Youth Employment Program provides teens with jobs and senior citizens with free window washing, and yard cleanup and maintenance. Services are for qualifying low- and very-low-income senior citizens. The program usually starts mid June and ends the last week of July or first week of August. Applications are usually sent a month in advanced.
Meanwhile private developers are working with the City to help the affordable housing deficit. A few years ago, Silver Ridge apartments opened with 100 one and two-bedroom apartments for low and very-low-income seniors. Southern California Presbyterian Homes built a 75-unit complex for very-low-income seniors through a partnership with the Federal government in 2006. Developer Conway/Herzog built 140 units, 28 of which were for low-income households.
Cities up and down the Central Valley face a shortage of affordable housing. Federal and state budget problems threaten the future of some programs. But a commitment by city leaders and strong relationships with other government agencies, non-profit organizations, and business partners has and will continue to make a difference here. That’s because we recognize people want to share the dream of living in a community with quality schools and excellent public services.