Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: $500,000 Grant to United Hope Builders, non-profit modular housing construction organization
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute a grant agreement with United Hope Builders in the amount of $500,000, for the term of May 18, 2021 through December 31, 2022, conditioned on United Hope Builders establishing and operating a modular housing manufacturing plant in East Palo Alto and provided that the grant funds may be used only to pay for salary and benefits for the plant's manufacturing line employees.
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BACKGROUND:
For many years, the County has contracted with WeHope, a non-profit organization located in East Palo Alto, to provide shelter and support services to homeless residents in southern San Mateo County. WeHope clients often experience homelessness because they cannot find affordable housing, and many, while working, have salaries that do not provide enough income to live in San Mateo County.
To create both affordable housing for extremely low-income residents in San Mateo County and up to eighty good paying manufacturing jobs, the leaders of WeHope have joined with other community leaders to establish a new non-profit organization, United Hope Builders (UHB). In partnership with indieDwell, a certified B corporation, UWB plans to manufacture affordable, modular housing units at a new plant in East Palo Alto that will provide residents with stable, well-paid manufacturing jobs.
indieDwell is an established manufacturer of affordable modular housing units based in Idaho, with manufacturing facilities in Colorado and Idaho. The East Palo Alto manufacturing plant will be jointly owned by UHB, indieDwell and the plant employees.
UHB leadership has expressed a commitment to employ at the East Palo Alto...
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