New Blossom Valley Senior Apartments provide a supportive community for residents
Blossom Valley Senior Apartments occupy the upper levels of the new development at 399 Blossom Hill Road, where the ground floor will soon be operating as the Blossom Valley Family Center.
The grand opening of Blossom Valley Senior Apartments in late March launched the first phase of a multi-service hub that combines affordable housing for low-income elderly residents and critical services for neighborhood children and families in need. The new development is operated and funded through private and public partnerships along with local non-profits led by Charities Housing and Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.
The Blossom Valley Family Center will occupy the ground floor of the newly opened Blossom Valley Senior Apartments. Located at 399 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose, this state-of-the-art facility expands Catholic Charities' reach to disrupt poverty in neighborhoods throughout Santa Clara County. Through our Strategic Plan’s recently launched initiative, “Footsteps: Pathways to Self-Sufficiency,” the Blossom Valley development becomes part of a network of neighborhood-based service locations, which are expanding in a phased approach of piloting and testing, to address the multiple needs of entire families on their journeys out of poverty.
During his remarks at the Blossom Valley grand opening, Catholic Charities CEO Greg Kepferle put the spotlight on the complex’s residents – low-income seniors – who clapped and cheered loudly as he thanked them for “welcoming us into their new home.” In addition to the residents, others attending the ceremony included Mark Mikl, Executive Director of Charities Housing; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; and representatives of local government, businesses, and other non-profits.
Watch the amazing stories of David and Chris, residents of the new Blossom Valley Senior Apartments
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Blossom Valley Senior Apartments
This new development has 147 apartments for low-income individuals over the age of 62 and two apartments for the property’s staff.
One-third of the apartments will be set aside for Permanent Supportive Housing residents who will be referred by the County of Santa Clara with additional supportive services from Abode Services. Resident services will be provided through a combination of providers whose expertise is focused on senior health, socialization, and support, with the goal of prolonging senior independence. Catholic Charities will provide staff to perform Service Coordination for all the residents. Service Coordination involves linking residents with existing services within the community.
The building is all electric with sustainable features including: GreenPoint Rated Certification, Energy-Star appliances, energy-efficient light fixtures, low-flow water fixtures, low VOC emitting paint & sealants, non-formaldehyde insulation, energy-efficient windows, drought tolerant planting, solar thermal hot water, and photovoltaic solar panels (common areas).
These newest Blossom Valley units are part of more than 1,500 apartment homes in Santa Clara County currently operated by Charities Housing. With the help of Charities Housing’s public and private partners, more 2,000 additional apartment homes under various stages of development or predevelopment that will be delivered into the community over the next few years. This includes a property under construction at 1265 Montecito Ave. in Mountain View where groundbreaking was held in February.
Blossom Valley Family Center
To provide outreach in the ground-floor commercial space of the development, Charities Housing has identified two nonprofit organizations, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and Martha’s Kitchen, who will provide services for the building’s residents and families in the surrounding community.
The Blossom Valley Family Center will be a 5,000-square-foot community space operated by Catholic Charities. It will include multiple small offices, conference rooms, and large community gathering rooms to help guide families and community members through Catholic Charities and partner services. Catholic Charities anticipates our behavioral health services, senior programing, public benefits enrollment, employment and other family supports will operate out of the new location. Services will be provided in partnership with Santa Theresa Parish, located nearby the property; Charities Housing; and several neighborhood associations.
Charities Housing welcomes the surrounding neighborhood associations to use the community room space as neighborhood meeting spaces as well as a gateway to connect with residents.
Martha’s Kitchen intends to build an 11,000-square-foot commercial kitchen on the ground floor to prepare meals that will be delivered to those in need throughout the community. They will also operate a food pantry on the premises.
About Charities Housing
Catholic Charities established the Division of Housing Development and Services in 1990 and formed Charities Housing Development Corporation of Santa Clara County (Charities Housing) in 1993 to address the lack of safe and affordable housing opportunities in the community. Current residents of Charities Housing’s more than 30 facilities include low-income families, single adults and seniors, and those with disabilities. All properties are professionally managed to compassionately assist residents with their needs. The organization, which currently employs 70 staff members, maintains a reputation in the community for quality construction with limited resources while still achieving attractive modern designs.
