This year marks the 25th anniversary for Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley. Over the past 25 years, we have built 50 homes and helped change hundreds of lives. As we look ahead, we will continue to make an impact in Santa Clara County.The future is very exciting for our affiliate. This summer we will complete our 56th home and start four homes in the City of Cupertino. One of the most exciting parts of the Cupertino project is the launch of our Faith Building Program. Currently we have over 50 congregations involved in Faith Alliances throughout the county. The Faith Alliances are interfaith committees working together to support the Cupertino build through fundraising and volunteering while learning about different religions. It is amazing to see the outpouring of support for this project!
Another exciting project underway is a Habitat Silicon Valley ReStore. The ReStore is a construction re-use center where you can donate or purchase construction materials. Habitat for Humanity affiliates operate over 800 ReStores in the U.S. The only one in the bay area is located in Oakland. Habitat Silicon Valley is working with the City of San Jose to open the first south bay ReStore in the City’s new Environmental Innovation Center. The ReStore will be the anchor business for a state of the art environmental center were you can touch and feel the latest in “green” technology, recycle hazardous waste or shop at the ReStore.
Although the future is bright for Habitat Silicon Valley, we (as well as all affordable housing providers) face big challenges over the coming years. The Governor of California is proposing to eliminate the State’s 400+ redevelopment agencies in his current proposal to balance the state budget. You may not know how this will affect Habitat Silicon Valley. Forty-three out of our 50 past projects were made possible through Redevelopment funding. The loss of this funding source to us could be devastating. I hope that you will support us by contacting Governor Brown and our other elected officials. Please let our public officials know that affordable housing is important to our community.
Thank you for your support,
Jennifer Simmons, Executive Director
