Oceanside CA—The City of Oceanside and Solutions for Change have finalized plans to introduce 32 apartments on North Weitzel Street. The goal of the Oceanside/Solutions partnership is to provide housing for homeless families and a comprehensive hands-up via the Solutions for Change program. The approved apartment project is securing final funding for construction, and is expected to break ground next year.
The development plan and conditional use permit for the affordable housing units will be built on city land with a 55-year lease agreement. The plan is part of the Solutions for Change 1,000 day Solutions University program that leads homeless families to self-sufficiency.
“This 1000 day intensive educational and employment retraining model takes dependent families in the deepest of poverty in America and solves their homelessness permanently,” said Chris Megison, President and CEO of Solutions for Change. “The effort has created generational transformation for over 2000 children in 800 families since 1999.
Megison noted that 500 days into the program, participants gain employment and move into permanent housing with their families, while they complete the remaining part of the program.
In support of Solutions, Councilman Jack Feller said he was previously skeptical of city affordable housing projects, but has come to see the benefits. He praised Solutions for Change for its positive work.
Plans include 49 below- ground parking spaces, an outdoor plaza with a barbecue area, a tot lot, a shared community room and lobby. The size, scale and density of the planned three-story apartments are similar to surrounding buildings.
Dennis Bone, Solutions for Change Chief Program Officer, said a manager will live on site, check on residents, and work with the local Neighborhood Watch group to ensure the area is crime free.
“We’re honored to work with the City of Oceanside to help solve family homelessness,” said Bone. “These 32 low-income housing units are the beginning of the transformation process that helps solve family homelessness.”
About Solutions for Change
Solutions for Change is a social sector market disrupter. After abandoning the outdated shelter/services containment approach the organization pioneered the nation’s first leadership development academy for the homeless. This 1000 day intensive educational and employment retraining model takes dependent families in the deepest of poverty in America and solves their homelessness permanently. The effort has created generational transformation for over 2000 children in 800 families since 1999. Combined with its trailblazing social enterprises; a state of the art commercial aquaponics farm and its affordable housing developments, Solutions for Change has redesigned and reimagined what is possible for any community, anywhere. For additional information on Solutions for Change, please visit www.solutionsforchange.org.