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Real People, Real Stories: Michael

EAH Housing provides apartment homes to people from all walks of life – from working families to seniors, students, veterans, and the formerly homeless. These are a few of their stories.

Michael hails from a family that takes its dedication to civil service seriously. Growing up in Denver, Colorado, he was the son of the first female African-American narcotics detective the city had ever had. It was her tough love and strong morals that moved him to join the United States Army at 19.

He served as a medic until he was 22, became an emergency room technician at Letterman Hospital in the San Francisco Presidio. From there, he continued to work as an ER tech with other healthcare providers in the Bay Area, like Kaiser Permanente, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and UCSF Medical Center. It was in his late 40s that Michael found himself laid off and unable to get back on his feet.

At this point in his life, Michael turned to drinking to console himself. Thankfully, with the help of rehabilitation, he was able to come back to himself, better than ever. Michael began to explore his creative side. His studio apartment at Willow Housing, which is co-located on a Veterans Administration healthcare campus, is essentially a 3D canvas, with paintings, scarves, fabric, and other art pieces decorating the space. There is barely a blank space left to decorate.

Michael’s journey was not without its ups and downs. Before coming to Willow Housing, Michael had suffered from tremors and even stayed in the intensive care unit for a period because of his alcohol abuse. But now, Michael is able to maintain his recovery with the help of the friendly Willow Housing staff and all of its amenities.

Originally published to the EAH blog on January 18, 2019. 

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The 2018 Gap Report & Reflection

Each year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) comes out with the Gap Report, which studies the shortage of affordable homes and those who seek them. It should come as no surprise that the United States lacks enough affordable housing options for low income households by 7.2 million. The Gap Report continues that, “even with these housing challenges, three out of four low income households in need of housing assistance are denied federal help” due to the overall lack of funding.

Overall, the data the NLIHC has presented indicates that the United States continues to experience a large shortage of affordable homes for the lowest income renters.

The Gap Report offers extensive insights into why the discrepancy is so severe. Partly, many of the homes that affordable to lower income households are instead occupied by households that earn a higher income. As such, if a higher income household rents a home, it is then unavailable to a lower income household, and the pattern continues.

Another aspect of the issue is simply that the rent rates lower income households can afford do not outweigh the costs of building affordable developments. Developers then turn to marketing to higher earning households to make a profit. Additional homes do become affordable as they age, but not at the rates needed to account for all of the low income families who qualify for them.

There is also not enough federal housing assistance, and those that do exist are becoming stricter with work requirements and time limits.

In short, the Gap Report has concluded that the affordable housing crisis is systemic and in need of great repair through legislation. Investing in affordable housing will prove beneficial in so many ways, as a stable home environment is one of the key factors to raising household who can fully thrive in their performance, whether that is at school or work. The whole household will be physically and mentally better for it.

To learn more about affordable housing and how affordable housing organizations are working to close the gap, visit EAH Housing.

Originally published to the EAH blog on January 18, 2019. 

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EAH Housing’s Awards

2018 was a significant milestone for EAH Housing. In addition to celebrating its 50th year of service as an organization, it received several prestigious awards.

California Housing Consortium, Hall of Fame Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award

Mary Murtagh, president and CEO of EAH Housing, received this award for her leadership and commitment to advocating for affordable housing. Since joining the organization in 1986, Murtagh’s leadership has proved invaluable as she oversaw the growth and expansion of EAH Housing. The company grew from 12 people to nearly 500, and expanded from Marin County to throughout California and into Hawaii.

North Bay Business Journal (NBBJ), 18 HR Leaders You Need to Know

Karen Belanger, vice president of Human Resources of EAH Housing, was named as one of the “18 North Bay Human Resources Leaders You Need to Know.” Thanks to more than fifteen years of experience in human resources, Belanger has proven herself an invaluable asset to EAH Housing since joining the team. While her accomplishments are many, Belanger is particularly proud of the leadership training program that has been implemented, as well as the organization’s commitment to professional development and promoting from within.

From the Affordable Housing Management Association of Northern California, Nevada, and Hawai’i Awards: the Pioneer Award, the Property Manager Supervisor of the Year, and the Maintenance Person of the Year

The Pioneer in Affordable Housing award is given to individuals who have established themselves as true leaders and pioneers in the affordable housing community. This year’s recipient, Mary Murtagh, has proven time and again her dedication to EAH Housing and its mission.

Several other EAH Housing employees were also recognized thanks to their service: Blanca Castilleja was named Property Manager/Supervisor of the Year, and Tom Bennett was named Maintenance Person of the Year.

For a complete list of awards and commendations EAH Housing has received, please visit http://www.eahhousing.org/eah/awards-commendations/.

Originally published to the EAH blog on January 18, 2019. 

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The 2018 Wrap Up

2018 was a big year for EAH Housing! Here are a few highlights from the past year:

50th Anniversary

EAH Housing was created in 1968 as a response to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, with the intent of providing affordable housing as a means for social justice. Since then, EAH has expanded throughout California and into Hawai’i, providing 20,000 people with quality, affordable housing.

Groundbreaking

2018 saw the groundbreaking of the Nohona Hale micro-apartments in Kakaako, Hawai’i. Both the Bay Area and the city of Honolulu have consistently been two of the most expensive places to live, making affordable housing organizations such as EAH Housing extremely important to the community.

Promotions

Welton Jordan stepped into the role of Vice President of Real Estate Development, after previously serving in the interim position for the prior eight months. In this position, Jordan oversees business development, real estate acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction projects in both California and Hawai’i.

Renovations

Renovations were completed on a number of communities, including Mackey Terrace and Walnut Place. Both properties have an elevator and are designed for older adults and persons with mobility impairments. Each unit is furnished with a full kitchen, wall-to-wall carpeting, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and storage closets. Shared common area space includes a furnished community room, lounge, laundry room, community garden, bike storage and patios. Special green features include low-flow water features, solar photovoltaic panels, high efficiency water heaters and drought tolerant landscaping. Solar production benefits are shared to reduce residents’ utility costs.

Acquisitions

In 2018, EAH Housing also acquired a new property in Santa Monica, California, and is excited to begin transforming the land into a brand new community for seniors. As one of the most proactive cities when it comes to alleviating the housing crisis, Santa Monica is a new municipal partner EAH Housing looks forward to working with.

Originally posted on the EAH blog on January 18, 2019.