Youth housing up for approval in Modesto

MODESTO -- The Modesto City Council will consider Tuesday lending more than $172,000 to the Housing Authority of the County of Stanislaus to rehabilitate a duplex that will house foster youths who are too old to remain in the system and homeless youth.

The loan would come from $5.354 million of the $25 million the city received in 2010 from the second phase of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which is part of the Obama administration's stimulus program.

The city is working with the housing authority to use the money to provide 33 units of affordable housing for low-income former foster children and homeless adults ages 18 to 28. Social service agencies will provide case management — such as learning how to balance a checkbook and other life skills — to the tenants.

Officials say these former foster children are among Stanislaus County's most vulnerable young people and providing them with affordable housing and supportive services can be invaluable in helping them make the transition to productive, independent lives.

In California, about 5,000 children become too old for the foster care system each year. In Stanislaus County, the number is 80 to 100.

The loan the council will consider Tuesday is for $172,053 to refurbish a duplex in the 500 block of East Coolidge Avenue. The housing authority bought the duplex in January with $59,813 in NSP2 funds.

The cost of buying and fixing the duplex is expected to be $231,866. The 2,129-square-foot duplex was built in 1963 and has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Modesto lent NSP2 funds to the housing authority for the 32-unit Meadow Glen Apartments, which is next to the Coolidge Avenue duplex. (One of the units will be used by the on-site manager.) Construction started this year, and officials have said it could have its first tenants by May.

The housing authority does not have to make payments on the NSP2 loans. The loans are forgivable after 55 years as long as the housing authority abides by the terms, such as providing affordable housing to low-income former foster youth and homeless youth.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Tenth Street Place basement chamber, 1010 10th St.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at (209) 578-2316 or kvaline@modbee.com.

The Modesto City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the basement chamber of Tenth Street Place, at 1010 10th St. The council will consider the following items:

• Accepting an internal audit status report from Moss Adams LLP

• Approving an agreement with Brown and Caldwell to provide annual waste-water rate review services through fiscal year 2015-16 at a cost not to exceed $120,000

• The council will not hear a request to redesignate about 18 acres for a shopping center at the southwest corner of Sylvan Avenue and Oakdale Road. This matter has been rescheduled to the council's Nov. 13 meeting.