As part of East Bay Housing Organizations’ (EBHO) Affordable Housing Month, MidPen Housing joined Alameda County and City of Livermore officials, as well as other valued community partners to celebrate the Grand Opening of Avance, an affordable rental apartment community specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Avance is the result of thoughtful planning and innovative partnerships with the City of Livermore, the County of Alameda, the Regional Center of the East Bay, and community members. It provides 45 independent-living apartments for I/DD persons with income levels up to 50% of Area Median Income (AMI).
“Avance helps advance our community’s efforts to address the pressing need for affordable housing,” said John Marchand, Mayor of the City of Livermore. “It is a model for innovative partnerships between civic leaders and community organizations to deliver on housing solutions for special needs and underserved populations.”
Also within the Avance community is a preserved historic home, The Schenone House, originally built in 1927. Careful consideration was given to the community’s design to support the well-being and safety of its residents to live independently, including six nature-based “wayfinding” symbols marking each of Avance’s buildings. The community also includes art coordinated by Creative Growth Art Center, a non-profit organization based in Oakland with the mission to provide a supportive environment for creative expression, community, and professional artistic development to individuals with developmental disabilities.
“Members of our most vulnerable communities deserve the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, affordable homes,” said MidPen President & CEO Matthew O. Franklin. “By providing stable, permanent housing aligned with case management and well-rounded services programming, we create a foundation for residents with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive.”
To emphasize the link between health and housing, amenities intentionally incorporated into the Avance community encourage socialization and promote physical and mental well-being. These also include access to community-based services like paratransit for day programs, medical appointments, and employment. In addition, Avance is located within a half-mile of the LAVTA Wheels 15 Bus, grocery stores, and pharmacy services, and within one mile of the public library, shopping centers, and medical clinics.