Riverbank council endorses 39-unit homeless project. Different site failed last year
The second try worked for a Riverbank nonprofit hoping to build 39 small units for people at risk of homelessness.
The City Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to put about $1.5 million in state money toward the project. Up to $12 million more could come from another state grant sought by the group, Central Valley Community Resources.
The project would go on about three acres at the northwest corner of Morrill and Oakdale roads. The land is next to the Riverbank Sports Complex and at the north end of the city’s new Crossroads West growth area.
CVCR had proposed last year to use vacant land at Stanislaus Street and Jackson Avenue, in the northwest part of town. The council opted to put a future park on the two city-owned acres. Three new members have joined the body since that decision.
The Morrill site would house young families, veterans, seniors, youths emerging from foster care and other clients. It would have a community center that helps residents with job searches, schooling, mental health, parenting and more.
Rents have not been set, but they would be tailored to each household’s income. The goal is to move them on to conventional homes, freeing up the units for other people.
“This will be affordable, safe, responsible housing for our community,” project co-manager Deanna Garcia told the council. She said she especially hopes to house “couch surfers” who live temporarily in other people’s homes and have children attending Riverbank schools.
The units would be the size of apartments but stand alone like houses. Eight of them would have one bedroom and about 500 total square feet. The other 32 would be two-bedroom units with about 650 square feet.
The manager would live in one of the homes. Residents would enjoy lawns amid the eight housing blocks, plus a gazebo and community garden.
Riverbank has three new council members
The council last year consisted of Mayor Richard O’Brien and members Rachel Hernandez, Leanne Jones-Cruz, Luis Uribe and Darlene Barber-Martinez. The latter recused herself from the housing discussion because she is executive director of the nonprofit that would run it.
Hernandez is now mayor. The other members are Uribe, Cindy Fosi, John Pimentel and Stacy Call. Their unanimous vote for the Morrill site followed a staff presentation that drew no objections from the public.
The chambers did have an overflow crowd at the meeting’s start — to recognize the girls basketball team at Cardozo Middle School. It just won the the Mid Valley Athletic League with a 14-0 record.
The $1.5 million is housing money secured in a state budget by then-Sen. Susan Talamantes-Eggman, D-Stockton. The city and CVRC plan to apply together to the state’s Homekey program, which provides up to $300,000 per unit.
Garcia said a decision will be announced in October, allowing construction in 2026. She is a building contractor, real estate agent and activist on homelessness.
The other co-manager is former Modesto Councilmember Brad Hawn. He is a civil and structural engineer also active in the cause.
Riverbank must build at least 3,591 housing units by 2032 under a state-mandated plan. The total includes 672 for people defined as “low-income” and 970 more for those who are “very low-income.”
The higher-priced homes are mainly being built in the Crossroads West area, along with Costco and other businesses. It is next to the original Crossroads shopping center and subdivisions, stretching south to Claribel Road.
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM.
