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Seven ways Modesto is tackling affordable housing

Stories by Modesto Bee journalists, with AI summarization

City and county leaders continue to work together to address homelessness with new developments and support programs. Community groups and residents help shape decisions through feedback and planning.

One project converted an old motel into low-cost apartments for veterans and people needing supportive services. Another renovates two senior housing communities to keep them affordable for decades. The city opened a 42-unit interim complex with services for people transitioning out of homelessness. Modesto also plans to make neighborhoods near affordable housing more accessible with trails and bike paths.

Stanislaus County is working with San Francisco-based nonprofit DignityMoves and Modesto on a $3 million project for 42 units of interim housing for homeless people on city-owned land at Ninth and D streets. The site is pictured Tuesday, June 25, 2024. While construction has not yet started, the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 1: STANISLAUS COUNTY HIRES CONTRACTOR TO MANAGE INTERIM HOUSING COMPLEX FOR MODESTO’S HOMELESS

Dignity Village Modesto is planned as a 42-unit interim housing center at 402 Ninth St. | Published July 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ken Carlson

A draft plan for southwest Modesto, California, suggests three stories of townhouses and ground-floor retail on an underused parcel at the northeast corner of Crows Landing and Hatch roads. A City Council committee endorsed the plan on Aug. 5, 2024. By City of Modesto

NO. 2: SOUTH AND WEST MODESTO NEED MORE HOUSING. HERE’S WHAT TWO PROJECTS COULD LOOK LIKE

“These areas are hopping with economic development,” Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen said. | Published August 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by John Holland

The Modesto Arch sign welcomes travelers to the city of Modesto.

NO. 3: AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, CRIME. MODESTO WANTS TO KNOW HOW MUCH RESIDENTS CARE

The city’s survey serves as a policy blueprint for the next five years. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Trevor Morgan

Dignity Village, a 42-unit bridge housing project on Ninth Street, was opened during a ceremony in Modesto on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The 70-square-foot units will be used as interim housing for adults battling homelessness, substance use and mental health disorders. The first residents will start moving into the complex this weekend. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 4: DIGNITY VILLAGE OPENS IN MODESTO WITH 42 TINY HOMES. A PLACE TO STOP THE DOWNHILL SLIDE

Officials said the 42 tiny houses will provide a safe and comfortable home for adults while they recover from substance use and mental health disorders. | Published March 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ken Carlson

Marple Manor resident Mae LeRoy speaks with Ann Veneman, former U.S. secretary of agriculture and former UNICEF executive director, in her newly renovated room on April 23, 2025. By Julietta Bisharyan

NO. 5: $30M IN RENOVATIONS COMPLETED AT 2 MODESTO AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING COMMUNITIES

“I love it here. If I won the lottery, I’d actually be sad because I’d have to leave,” Marple Manor resident Mae LeRoy said. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julietta Bisharyan

A rendering of a section of the 9th Street bike path project from a presentation given to Modesto’s Safety and Communities Committee on June, 09, 2025.

NO. 6: MODESTO’S VIRGINIA CORRIDOR TO PIERCE THE CITY’S CORE, IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES

Modesto plans an ambitious overhaul of downtown that includes bike lanes, pedestrian-focused streets, affordable housing and transit expansion. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Trevor Morgan

El Captain Motel in Modesto, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 7: UPDATE: MODESTO LANDS $17.9M TO TURN ANOTHER OLD MOTEL INTO LOW-COST HOMES

The project will house 24 veterans and the same number of mental health clients. | Published July 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by John Holland

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.