Projects in Chico and Berkeley Will Provide More Than 70 Housing Units
“Since launching in 2022, the CCE program has committed funding to promising projects across the state, opening the door to create or preserve thousands of residential care beds and supportive housing units,” CDSS Director Jennifer Troia said. “We are making real progress toward providing more equitable, person-centered housing with care and supportive services across California.”
SACRAMENTO — Today, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced significant progress in the continued implementation of the Community Care Expansion (CCE) program, which funds the creation, expansion, and preservation of adult and senior care facilities serving older adults and people with disabilities who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Projects in Chico and Berkeley will provide a total of more than 70 housing units.
In Chico, construction will soon be underway on the Builders Village project, which is sponsored by the Chico Housing Team (CHAT). With $16.5 million in CCE program funding and strong support from local partners, Builders Village will deliver 61 fully accessible, ground-level permanent supportive housing units designed for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
At least 80 percent of residents will be low-income applicants and recipients. Once completed, the community will offer onsite case management, life skills coaching, transportation support, and inclusive programming designed to foster connection and independent living.
“Builders Village is a deeply intentional community that removes the barriers so many of our residents have faced for decades,” said Sarah Graham, Director of Finance and Development at CHAT. “From wheelchair-accessible units to onsite services and pet-friendly policies, every detail of this project was designed with dignity, inclusion, and stability in mind. This is more than housing — it’s a chance to thrive.”
In Berkeley, the Dwight Way Board and Care project, which is sponsored by Insight Housing, has officially completed construction. Supported by $1.23 million in CCE funding, the project expands the facility’s capacity by adding 15 one-bedroom permanent supportive housing units to the five existing units that serve adults with serious mental illness. The newly completed renovation builds on a long-standing service model offering 24/7 care, case management, medication support, and therapeutic services to a population in critical need of long-term stability.
“The CCE program has truly transformed the Dwight Way Center,” said Calleene Egan, CEO of Insight Housing. “With the addition of these 15 units, our new program will offer 24/7 support in a warm, welcoming environment where individuals entering our program will not only regain stability but have a safe place to call home. We are deeply grateful to the CDSS for their invaluable partnership in making this renovation possible.”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: The CCE program is a key component of California’s statewide effort to expand its supply of housing and care, improve outcomes for aging and disabled adults, and prevent the cycle of homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization. It provides vital housing with care and supportive services for vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, a key component of the State’s Master Plan for Aging.
Affordable housing is critically important as a growing number of older adults are facing homelessness. Among single adults experiencing homelessness, nearly half (48 percent) are 50 years and older. Among single adults 50 years and older, 41 percent became homeless for the first time at age 50 or older. These projects help address the need for affordable housing with care and supportive services that are appropriate for older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
MORE ABOUT THE CCE PROGRAM: The CCE program has awarded nearly $570 million to 61 housing projects, expected to create more than 3,100 new bed/housing units with care and supportive services in communities throughout California. These investments support the acquisition, rehabilitation, and construction of housing with care and supportive services, such as permanent supportive housing, licensed adult and senior care facilities, and recuperative care sites.
Other notable, recent CCE program progress includes investments in San Diego County through the CCE Preservation Program that will preserve 440 beds, primarily for individuals in need of care and supportive services. Also, the Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority Elder Village project in Ukiah recently launched, which will provide 15 permanent supportive housing units for Tribal members who are Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment recipients at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Finally, the Ranch House Permanent Supportive Housing Project, in Nevada City, which will provide six units, completed construction and the Kingston Health Project, in Bakersfield, which will create 152 Residential Care Facility for the Elderly beds/units, initiated construction in recent months.
To date, seven of the 61 CCE-funded housing projects, representing 500 new beds/housing units, have completed construction and are in the process of initiating move-in. An additional 13 projects, representing 709 beds/housing units, have broken ground. In addition, the CCE Preservation program has awarded $247 million to 34 participating California counties for the conservation of existing licensed adult and senior care facilities serving low-income people. To date, 20 counties have contracted with 118 facilities at risk of closure through the CCE Preservation program to continue serving their communities, preserving 2,737 beds.
If you have any questions, please contact CDSS at (916) 657-2268.