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Rescue Mission Grant Helps Provide Housing
RESCUE MISSION
The former Alustiza hotel and restaurant has been vacant for over 30 years; it will soon offer Hope Housing and is on the northeast corner of the Gospel Center Rescue Mission campus in downtown Stockton. Photo Contributed

Gospel Center Rescue Mission (GCRM) recently received a $1,350,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s 2018 Affordable Housing Program (AHP), sponsored by BAC Community Bank. The grant will fund Hope Housing at GCRM, a project that will provide housing to formerly homeless women and their children. When completed, this will be one of the largest Christian-based, long-term, resident regeneration programs in North America.

Hope Housing will be located in the former Alustiza hotel and restaurant that has been vacant for over 30 years, on the northeast corner of the GCRM campus in downtown Stockton. It will provide 96 new beds, in addition to the 64 current beds for women and children. The project will pair housing with supportive services, including case management, drug and alcohol counseling, life skills training, job coaching, GED completion, support groups and work therapy to help residents maintain long-term, sustained independence. Residents will also benefit from facility amenities such as a children’s daycare, computer learning center, kitchen, dining center, exercise room and play areas.

The first three phases of work on the Hope Housing project have been completed, and the building currently stands with only structural beams, floors and exterior walls in place. The fourth phase is now beginning, which will include 100 percent design by WMB Architects and seismic reinforcement of the building.

The fifth and final phase, funded by this Federal Home Loan Bank grant, will begin in January 2019. This will include the construction of three studio apartments, two 1-bedroom apartments and a 20-woman dorm space on the ground floor; 18 rooms on the second and third floors; new exterior street sidewalks; underground utility replacement; and exterior signage.

For over 75 years, GCRM has been serving the homeless and addicted in San Joaquin County by presenting the opportunity for spiritual, physical and emotional restoration. BAC Community Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. It operates 11 branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus and eastern Contra Costa counties and is centrally headquartered in Stockton.