Citizens Housing Corporation (CHC) is a non-profit, public benefit corporation established in 1992 to increase and preserve affordable housing opportunities for low-income Californians. California's economic success has created some of the highest housing prices in the nation, with San Francisco as the least affordable housing market in the country and three other California cities in the top ten. Rapid economic growth throughout the state has resulted in a perpetual shortage of housing near the major employment centers, especially for low-income wage earners. This shortage has resulted in rent increases of up to 100% over the last five years, compared to a 5% increase nationally.

CHC is responding to the severe shortage of affordable housing across the state by building new affordable homes and preserving existing affordable units that are at risk of conversion to market-rate housing. CHC's current development portfolio includes over 3,000 units throughout California, over 90% of which are affordable to low-income seniors and families earning between $12,000-$30,000.

While the number of affordable homes needed to meet the needs of Californians is great, simply increasing our level of production is not enough. CHC forms partnerships with service providers, government agencies, neighborhood groups, and other non-profit organizations to produce housing that goes beyond traditional shelter. These partnerships add value to each CHC development through innovative design, sound environmental planning, and comprehensive supportive services that foster self-reliance and self-improvement. Such collaborations produce neighborhood-enhancing developments that in turn create good citizens, good neighbors, and strong and vital communities.

Description:
Citizens Housing Corporation provides community-oriented housing with a long-term commitment to affordability, quality living environments, and a dedication to improving the lives of our residents. We understand that by investing in people, we are investing in the future of our communities. CHC's strategic plan includes the following areas of commitment:

Commitment to Creating and Preserving Housing Affordability
CHC's commitment to housing affordability is reflected in our plan to construct new below-market and mixed-income developments throughout California. In addition, CHC is pursuing the preservation of some of the thousands of units of affordable housing at risk of conversion to market rate due to the imminent expiration of federally-funded Section 8 assistance contracts. Seniors and disabled residents comprise a significant percentage of those threatened to be displaced, and CHC has set a target of preserving over 1,000 at-risk units over the next two years through the acquisition, rehabilitation, and refinancing of these properties. CHC is committed to the renovation of at-risk properties to enhance neighborhoods, while providing stability for the residents.

Commitment to Resident Services
CHC's commitment to resident services reflects our commitment to the needs of our residents and the larger community in which our developments are located. CHC is forming partnerships with a broad network of local service providers to offer on-site supportive services that will foster self-reliance and self-improvement among residents. Programs are geared to the specific needs of our varied communities, such as job training, life skills education, after-school programs, and senior services.

CHC is also expanding its focus to provide assisted living facilities for frail low-income seniors. As the population ages, the need for affordable assisted living facilities will increase dramatically. CHC has formed partnerships with assisted living operators to build housing for seniors who are no longer able to live independently.
Commitment to the Environment
CHC's commitment to the environment means working to improve the quality of life for Californians of all income levels. The current trends towards decentralized job growth and sprawling residential development in suburban areas poorly served by public transit have caused increased traffic congestion for everyone. CHC is forming partnerships to find creative alternatives to current development patterns, including in-fill housing, transit villages, and mixed-use developments.

Contact people:

Clarice Veloso-Lugo, (phone), (email) James Buckley, President, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 421-8605

Address:

26 O'Farrell Street, Suite 600 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.citizenshousing.org

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Cantonese, French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No