Frank Lopez<\/a><\/p>\nSenior Citizens Village, described as the Central Valley\u2019s largest senior citizens community, has received $376,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for energy-efficiency and infrastructure upgrades at its 40-acre Fresno campus.<\/p>\n
The grant \u2014 secured through the City of Fresno \u2014 is the largest single grant the nonprofit has ever received, according to the release. It was championed by former Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez, now a Fresno County supervisor, and Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea, and was unanimously approved by the Fresno City Council.<\/p>\n
What the money will fund<\/p>\n
Funding will go toward energy-efficiency upgrades, water-heating improvements, roof and insulation work, and replacement of every utility-pole, pathway and parking-area light fixture with energy-efficient lighting throughout the campus, which is located adjacent to Fresno Pacific University and currently houses 732 residents.<\/p>\n
Four new energy-efficiency heaters have already been installed, Chavez said, with full installation expected within four to six months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe $376,500 in ARPA funding has been transformative for the Village,\u201d said Lee Smith, board president of Senior Citizens Village. \u201cAs a non-profit, this is the largest grant we have ever received, and it is allowing us to upgrade lighting and water-heating across the entire campus. Those energy savings translate directly into our ability to keep housing affordable for the seniors who call the Village home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keeping senior housing affordable<\/p>\n
Chavez said he began discussions with Senior Citizens Village about two years ago. In his current role as county supervisor, he said he is working to secure additional housing funding, noting that senior citizens are the fastest-growing population experiencing homelessness due to fixed incomes and rising rents.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the covenants that are on affordable housing run for 25-30 years, and in order for them to pencil out you have to keep supporting them,\u201d Chavez said. \u201cWe want to continue that places like the Village continue to remain affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Empowering the vulnerable<\/p>\n
Perea, who said she grew up in Southeast Fresno, said the strength of a city is measured by how it treats those most in need. She noted residents told her they were on fixed incomes and struggle when prices rise, including energy costs. The lighting upgrades, she said, will also improve resident safety for evening walks and provide reliable hot water in winter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the largest affordable senior living community in the Central Valley,\u201d Perea said. \u201cWhat that means is this almost $400,000 investment is going to have a ripple effect in how it continues to serve the residents that are here today and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
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