Read the full press release featured on East County Today here!
PITTSBURG, Calif. – On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, City of Pittsburg, Contra Costa County and California State officials joined the Yellow Roof Foundation for the groundbreaking of the very first Yellow Roof community of affordable homes for families and individuals at risk for homelessness. The new community is taking shape in Old Town Pittsburg.
The mission of Yellow Roof, which was founded by Dave and Lori Sanson, owners of Concord-based DeNova Homes, is to assist those who are hardworking, contributing members of their community but are experiencing hard times due to circumstances beyond their control. As the serious housing crisis, especially in the affordable housing arena, continues to grow in California, so has the population who may be on the verge of homelessness.
Yellow Roof has been working closely with the City of Pittsburg for the creation of the foundation’s first-ever collection of homes. Construction is now underway on three single-family residences, each planned to include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) so that a total of six families will call the community home. The property is in a prime location in Pittsburg in the East Bay’s Contra Costa County, with great access to employment and transportation centers. All of the residences will have the same DeNova Homes stamp that has it earned it countless awards for architectural excellence.
At the Groundbreaking Ceremony, Yellow Roof Foundation President and Director Lori Sanson and the Yellow Roof Board were joined by California State Assembly Member Jim Frazier, Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, and from the City of Pittsburg, City Manager Garrett Evans and Senior Administrative Analyst Melaine Venenciano to dedicate the new community of affordable homes.
During their remarks, all of the officials praised the Yellow Roof Foundation for its commitment to creating solutions for the housing crisis in the greater Bay Area. Sanson provided an overview of the Yellow Roof mission and why need for affordable homes is growing far too rapidly.
“We are thrilled that the first Yellow Roof Foundation project is moving forward and would like to thank our partners and the City of Pittsburg for all of the valuable help,” said Lori Sanson. “One of our primary objectives is to work with local jurisdictions to acquire and develop successor agency (former redevelopment) parcels to provide rental housing at below market rates. Whether it is a manufactured home community or a traditional multi-family design concept, our team is proficient in getting the job done and managing the operations.”
Current statistics in California show that most low-income households spend approximately 50 percent of their income on housing, creating huge burdens in the ability to afford other essential goods, such as food, transportation, utilities and insurance. Yellow Roof Foundation will ensure that no resident will pay more than 30 percent of their income in one of its affordable communities. Also, the foundation has partners to assist with financial planning classes, job interview training and other life skills courses.
“Far too many families and individuals are barely making it, living paycheck to paycheck, or have fallen through the cracks into the world of the ‘invisible homeless’ where they may be living in their cars or couch surfing while still holding down a job, going to school or both,” said Sanson. “We believe they deserve a hand up with more access to affordable homes while also gaining the life skills needed for transformational living.”
Yellow Roof has three additional projects in the pipeline: two in Contra Costa County and one in Solano County. Residents for all of the communities will be referred by local service providers who work with at-risk families and individuals.
The foundation has also been working at the state level on legislation to make the development of wholly charitable affordable housing projects more attainable.
“Now, more than ever, is the time to lend a helpful hand to those in need,” said Sanson. “If we all come together to create solutions instead of putting up red tape, the future can look so much brighter for many Californians.”
For more information on Yellow Roof Foundation, please visit www.YellowRoofFoundation.org.
About Yellow Roof Foundation
Yellow Roof Foundation is a non-profit public charity. Founded by Dave and Lori Sanson, owners of Concord-based DeNova Homes, Inc., the Yellow Roof Foundation is working to build affordable housing opportunities for families and individuals at risk for homelessness.
Philanthropy has always been a large part of the Sanson’s personal and professional lives. They, along with top management from the DeNova team; Karen Montero, Ryan Parlett, Trent Sanson and Dana Tsubota, form the Yellow Roof Foundation’s Board of Directors.
With more than 100 years of collective experience in land acquisition, land entitlement, site development, new home construction, property renovation, property management, real estate law, and real estate and construction finance, this team is prepared to help families and individuals realize better tomorrows by building and creating affordable housing opportunities today.
The Yellow Roof Foundation is also part of a larger team that will serve the needs of these individuals and families. Recognizing that it is essential to provide life skills that lead to transformational living, this Foundation has partners to assist with financial planning classes, job interview training, and other life skills courses.
About DeNova Homes
DeNova Homes is an award-winning respected family owned homebuilder in Northern California specializing in all areas of residential construction to meet the needs of renters, first time home buyers and move up single family purchasers alike. It is a community-minded homebuilder with a long tradition of supporting local charities and organizations.
For more information about the company or its current new-home offerings, visit www.DeNovaHomes.com.
