The newest addition to the available and affordable living options in Esparto is now buzzing with activity—children run to the playground at Mercy Housing’s Esperanza Crossing and residents have started to settle into the 40 one- to three-bedroom apartments.

“Esperanza Crossing offers exactly what this community needs while strengthening the lives of its residents.” said Executive Director of the California Department of Housing and Community  Development, Claudia Cappio. “It’s a good feeling to be a part of making this happen while creating a sustainable living environment.” The development provides affordable, convenient quality homes with a large community center for services and programming for residents earning between 30% and 50% of the Area Median income including rural families; elderly and disabled individuals with fixed incomes; and the growing gaming, tourist, and agricultural workforce in the heart this unincorporated neighborhood of Yolo County.

“Mercy Housing California not only provides a sustainable development near public transportation and employment centers, but connects Esperanza Crossing’s residents to job training, afterschool programs and health education classes. Enterprise is pleased to expand our national and local partnership with Mercy Housing,” noted Rich Gross, Vice President and Northern California Market Leader, Enterprise.

Located in the heart of Esparto, the Gateway to the Capay Valley and the largest population and business center in the greater northwestern Yolo County, the property is on a main route servicing the area’s second largest employer, Cache Creek Casino with over 2,500 on staff, and is only a 9 to 12 minute drive for commuters. It is also situated within a short walk of common conveniences including, schools, a library and retail establishments. Esperanza Crossing’s proximity to jobs and services central to the lives of families will alleviate some demand for affordable homes in unincorporated areas of Yolo County and furthers the efforts of Yolo County’s Strategic Housing and Regional Housing Need Allocation Plans.

Esparto Family Apartments will also use drought tolerant landscaping, energy conserving materials and construction methods to surpass Title 24 energy efficiency standards by 30% and meet the Enterprise Green Communities Development Criteria.

Financing for Esperanza Crossing is provided by Citibank Community Capital Construction Loan, Enterprise Community Investment, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, California Department of Housing and Community Development, Yolo County HOME and Community Development Block Grant investments, and Yolo County Housing..

Development Team:

Developer: Mercy Housing California
Architect:  Stantec Architects
General Contractor:  Broward Builders
Engineers:  Laugenour and Meikle
Property Management:  Mercy Housing Management Group

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

About Mercy Housing California
Mercy Housing California (MHC) is the largest regional division of national nonprofit Mercy Housing, Inc. (MHI), headquartered in Denver and founded in 1981 with the mission to create stable, vibrant, and healthy communities by developing, financing and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities.

In addition Esperanza Crossing and a number of other projects in development statewide, Mercy Housing California (MHC) has developed 125 rental properties across 36 counties serving low- and very low-income working poor families, senior citizens, persons who are homeless and people with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS.  To date, MHC has developed 10,654 affordable homes in California – 7,652 in rental and 3,002 in homeownership.

About The California Department of Housing and Community Development
The California Department of Housing and Community Development is dedicated to the preservation and expansion of safe and affordable housing so more Californians have a place to call home. Our team works to ensure an adequate supply of housing for Californians and promotes the growth of strong communities through its leadership, policy and program development.

About Enterprise Community Investment
Enterprise works with partners nationwide to build opportunity. We create and advocate for affordable homes in thriving communities linked to jobs, good schools, health care and transportation. We lend funds, finance development and manage and build affordable housing, while shaping new strategies, solutions and policy. Over more than 30 years, Enterprise has created 300,000 homes, invested nearly $14 billion and touched millions of lives. Join us at www.EnterpriseCommunity.com or www.EnterpriseCommunity.org.