Satellite Housing has a significant track record in development, operation, and supportive services delivery for low-income residents throughout the Bay Area. Over the past 42 years, Satellite has fulfilled its mission and founding principles by addressing the unmet housing and service needs of the lowest income seniors, disabled adults. With diverse communities in both urban and suburban neighborhoods, we serve approximately 1,450 residents in 1,441 units, many for over 40 years. Sponsored by local churches and community members, ten of Satellite's buildings are located throughout Oakland, from Rockridge to Chinatown to West Oakland. The other nine properties are located in Berkeley, Fremont, Newark, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek. Satellite Housing's twentieth affordable housing development for low-income seniors opened in July 2007 in the City of Berkeley.

The Housing Development Department oversees all aspects of project development from property acquisition to occupancy. Recognizing the incredible need for affordable housing in the Bay Area, Satellite changed its focus almost 10 years ago from exclusively senior housing to housing for other populations, including special needs populations and families. With an expanded mission, staff utilized other sources of funding such as tax credit equity and commercial bank financing. The completion and opening of Fremont Oak Gardens, a 51-unit affordable senior housing development with amenities for the Deaf, represents the very best of the department's goals and vision for all of our new developments. These include:

• Creative financing.
• Design and marketing to address the needs of an underserved special needs population
• Attractive, efficient design that is sensitive to the needs of the elderly and those with special needs.
• A property that is appropriate to the surrounding neighborhood in size, design, and scale.
• A project developed through true partnerships with local community agencies and advocacy organizations.
• Well-designed community spaces including a computer lab, large community room, and multipurpose room.
• A comprehensive and culturally competent supportive service plan.
• A project completed within budget and on-schedule.

Local funding is an important component in acquisition and predevelopment activities, and is obtained through demonstrated performance, a strong record of completed projects that remain financially sound and affordable, and well-maintained working relationships with local government staff and community leaders. The housing department manages all due diligence activities including identification and selection of design and engineering consultants, housing and financial consultants, and required testing and reports, such as Phase I Site Assessments and NEPA studies. The department prepares and coordinates funding applications and, once funded, manages each project through construction. With multiple projects in development and various others in the early conceptual stages, staff works closely with the other Satellite departments from initial design to ensure that once completed, projects transition smoothly into operation with accurate operating budgets and appropriate amenities.