The Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing was established in 1989, by the Housing Authority of the County of Merced .  The Director of the Housing Authority believed there was a need for more affordable housing within Merced County .  The Federal Government had, for all practical purposes, removed itself from the development of affordable, low income housing, and there was a need for a local non-governmental organization to bring together the available funding programs within the community.

   The Coalition was interested in applying for funding to finance a project of 27 three and four bedroom duplexes within the City of Merced .  After reviewing several alternatives, the Coalition decided to contract with the Affordable Housing Development Corporation (AHDC).  A package was developed utilizing property the Coalition received from the City of Merced .  That project is now complete and fully occupied.  At that time, the Coalition also entered into an agreement with the City of Merced to rehabilitate and manage a 7 unit project consisting of one studio and 6 two bedroom units.  The Coalition completed rehabilitation work and took over ownership of these units, which are now fully occupied with low-income families.

  To date, the Coalition has completed the purchase, moving and rehabilitation of an old Victorian house in the City of Merced .  The Coalition has also received Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status with our local Participating Jurisdiction (the City of Merced ) who has agreed to give us their CHDO set-aside funds.  Our first CHDO monies were used to purchase the Victorian house, which is now occupied by a low-income family who intends to purchase the home with our assistance.  We have also received the CHDO set-aside funds for the 95/96, 96/97, 97/98, 98/99, 99/00, 00/01 and 01/02 funding cycle.  We purchased a house at 504 “R” Street, which has been demolished.  In its place, we have constructed a five bedroom single family home.  We also purchased a property at 214 W. 19^th Street with Redevelopment funds from the City of Merced .  We expect to demolish the existing structure and build a three-bedroom home for a low-income family to rent or purchase.  We have complete this project had are under way with four more single-family homes.  We work closely with the City of Merced to clean up blight.  We have begun working with the City of Turlock in the same capacity as the City of Merced and have received their 00/01 & 01/02 CHDO set-aside of HOME funds.

  In addition, we have entered into joint ventures with AHDC, Hammond Development, Bay Development, KOA Development and Emerald Palms Partnership to provide more low-income housing to the Central Valley .

  The Coalition has recently purchased a 50-unit section 8 project based senior project.

The Coalition has successfully negotiated an agreement with the City of Merced and AHDC for 100-unit senior citizens’ complex in an area in close proximity to the new Senior Citizens’ Center in the City of Merced .   The project is currently completed and fully occupied.

  The Coalition has been awarded HOME funds from the 1995 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for a 60 unit multi-family complex in Planada, which is now completed.   We have recently received the 1997 HOME funds for a project in Hanford . 

  Also, we have completed the construction, of a 30-unit complex located in Mammoth, California , which is fully occupied.  The method used to fund this project was HOME funds received from the Town of Mammoth and tax credits.  A list of our tax credit projects is attached, so you can see our total growth and various locations.

  The Coalition to date has completed over 5,270 units of low income housing/ 55 projects to meet its original intent and has started to expand more into social services for these units.  One of the objectives is providing computers and computer training to the residents by seeking grant monies.  We have also have started providing programs to enhance the lives of our residents.

  The Coalition is dedicated to the original intent of the organization, in that we are working diligently to increase the inventory of decent, safe and affordable housing to persons and families of low and moderate income throughout the valley.  We are willing to work with anyone or any agency that will help us in this direction and, so far, we have been successful. 

  The Corporation has employed Christina Alley , Chief Executive Officer, since its creation. She assisted in the drafting of the non-profit corporation documents.  She has had the honors of seeing the corporation grow and meet most of its objectives.

  The Coalition receives legal assistance from Mr. Robert Haden of the Law Firm Robert Haden Professional Corporation, located at 2241 “N” Street, Merced , CA 95340 .