Morgan Hill officials celebrated the opening of the City’s newest senior housing development at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.
The Bella Terra complex, a 40-unit affordable senior housing development, is located at 235 E. Dunne Ave. The complex is fully occupied, illustrating the current needs for senior and affordable housing, which is likely to grow in the future, according to the developer and others who spoke at the grand opening ceremony.
The project was developed by nonprofit affordable housing builder EAH Housing, and financed through a public-private partnership that included a $3.2 million loan from the City’s now-defunct Redevelopment Agency, according to EAH Senior Project Manager Felix AuYeung.
With the loss of the RDA in 2012, and federal “sequestration” cuts earlier this year, projects such as Bella Terra will become increasingly more difficult to finance despite the growing need, according to EAH President and CEO Mary Murtagh.
“It’s not possible to get something like this done without strong support from the City government,” Murtagh said. She added that South Bay communities like Morgan Hill have “gone above and beyond the basic requirements for affordable housing.”
Bella Terra is touted as an “amenity-rich” project, with a spacious outdoor front courtyard with a community garden, bocce ball court, fitness area, bicycle storage and community and meeting rooms. Four of the units are fully ADA-accessible.
The project also incorporates green energy features such as a solar panel-covered carport, solar thermal water heating, and energy-efficient windows, lighting and appliances.
Rents at Bella Terra range from $713 to $910 per month, based on income, according to a statement from EAH Housing.
Mayor Steve Tate said the new complex – located within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shopping centers on East Dunne Avenue – will go a long way toward meeting the City’s growing senior housing needs.
“In working with nonprofit organizations such as EAH Housing, Morgan Hill continues to provide an assortment of housing opportunities to meet the needs of families and seniors at all income levels,” Tate said.
Bella Terra resident Clarice Williams, 57, moved in just over a week ago from San Jose. Williams, who is disabled, needed to find a more affordable home than her former residence in San Jose, where prices are higher. So far, she is pleased with the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff at Bella Terra, and the ability to walk from her home to a variety of shopping options.
“I like Morgan Hill. It’s quiet. The people are friendly, and outgoing – not like San Jose,” Williams laughed.
