Once a vacant parking lot, Berkeley Way and The Hope Center unites shelter, food, and services in one affordable and supportive housing complex in Berkeley, California. BRIDGE Housing and Insight Housing (formerly Berkeley Food & Housing Project) worked together to make this inspiring venture a reality. Between the two buildings, there are 89 affordable apartments, 53 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units, 12 transitional housing units for veterans, and 32 emergency shelter beds. The Hope Center has a ground-floor community kitchen with the shelter and veterans housing and PSH units above it.
The community of Berkeley aims to support individuals coming out of homelessness at 15 and 50-60 percent of the area median income (AMI). Both developments benefit from the Section 8 subsidy. The city has been granted to improve the transportation system regarding bicycle connection, bus stop upgrades, and zero emissions. Along with convenient access to Berkeley’s BART transit and bus services, residents have plentiful employment opportunities in downtown Berkeley.
Together, Berkeley Way and The Hope Center is a 2023 AHF Readers’ Choice Finalist in the Urban Category.