Looking for housing in Santa Rosa?

There's a drawing Friday, the day after applications are due, and while it doesn't involve a mega jackpot, the winners are practically assured a degree of financial stability.

The lottery is for a chance to rent at a brand new affordable housing complex currently under construction in downtown Santa Rosa.

The units are small, mostly studios and one bedrooms, but there will be thirty of them available--and you don't need a section-8 voucher.

Annie McNeany, director of property management for the project's developer....Burbank Housing...said there are few barriers.

"We don't expect people to have stellar credit by any means, we do take that in consideration. We look at their prior landlord history and if they meet that criteria and the occupancy guidelines, its free to anyone who meets those."

For a studio, an applicant or couple, must have an income between $41,600 and $47,550. Income limits for one and two bedrooms are higher. Rent on a studio will be a bit over $1,000, a bit over $1,100 for a one bedroom.

Officially named Caritas Homes - Phase One, the building will have 63-units. A total of 33 are meant for the chronically homeless, with tenants selected separately.

To be eligible for one of the affordable units, the deadline is fast approaching. Those interested can fill out an application on Burbank Housing's website or...

"You can pick one up at our main office in order to get on the lottery you can drop it by our office at 1425 corporate center parkway."

That's in Santa Rosa.

While Burbank and other affordable housing developers have been delivering for years, McNeany said the need keeps pace.

"There's a massive need for affordable housing and I've been saying for fifteen plus years that we have ten thousand people on our wait list. And it's true, we continue, we move people in, but more people get on our wait list, so it doesn't really move that much."

Burbank and the Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa, who partnered on the project, say they hope they'll raise enough money within a year for a sequel.

"Caritas Homes-2 was approved at the same time. It will be built adjacent to the current, the one that we're renting up at the old General Hospital site," she said.

 

photo credit: Marc Albert/KRCB
File photo of Caritas Homes under construction, 2022