St. Paul's Commons Affordable Housing Groundbreaking Celebration

St. Paul's Commons is ready to break ground. The first of its kind program in Walnut Creek, St. Paul's Commons unites affordable housing units with the social services and resources needed to raise individuals and families out of poverty and homelessness. St. Paul's Commons is an innovative model of how communities can respond to the Bay Area housing crisis.
 
As a part of Affordable Housing Week in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, Resources for Community Development (RCD) and St. Paul's Episcopal Church are hosting a St. Paul's Commons Groundbreaking Celebration, Wednesday, May 16, 10-11:30am, 1860 Trinity Ave, Walnut Creek. The ceremony is open to the public and will feature elected officials and project contributors. Refreshments will be served.
 
Speakers include Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen, Walnut Creek Mayor Pro-tem Cindy Silva, St Paul's Interim Rector Rev. Audrey Miskelley, Resources for Community Development Executive Director Dan Sawislak, St. Paul's Commons Project Lead Molly Clopp, and Trinity Center Executive Director Donna Colombo.
 
"This model, one that includes a new housing complex and resource center in Northern California, shows us how a community can come together to move people from homelessness to lives of dignity, safety, and hope," said The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California. "It has the potential to start a wave across our state—faith communities, individuals, non-profit developers and government agencies stepping up together as partners to give people on the margins a fresh start and hope for a brighter future."
 
The Commons will be a mixed-use, transit-oriented development with community-serving spaces operated by St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and 45 affordable apartments operated by RCD. Located at 1860 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek, on the grounds of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Commons Community Center and Apartments is designed to fit into and enhance the church campus, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. 
 
The Commons is a partnership project with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Resources for Community Development, City of Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, and Trinity Center. Construction is expected to last 18 months.
 
About Trinity Center
Trinity Center is a non-residential program serving homeless and working poor adult men and women in Walnut Creek and Central Contra Costa County, offering a safety net of basic human services including food, breakfast and lunch; showers and laundry; mail and telephone access; clothing; referral services; and help with benefit applications. Trinity Center is an opportunity for community and a safe place off the street for people who are homeless and those experiencing poverty. Visit TrinityCenterWC.org to learn more and to donate.
 
About Resources for Community Development
Resources for Community Development's mission is to create and preserve affordable housing for people with the fewest options, to build community, and enrich lives. Over its 32-year history, RCD has grown from a Berkeley-based special needs housing developer to being named as one of the top 50 affordable housing developers in the country. RCD provides affordable housing to more than 4,000 people in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties, including Villa Vasconcellos on Geary Road in Walnut Creek. Visit RCDHousing.org to learn more.