RICHMOND (KCBS) — The Bridge Housing Corporation’s latest project involves an historic downtown Richmond hotel that required $9.5 million to renovate. The building, located on Harbour Way now called the Carquinez, offers over 30 one-bedroom apartments.

Smitha Seshadri is the project manager for Bridge Housing, the largest non-profit developer of affordable homes for low-income seniors in the Bay Area, explained that the housing comes as a relief to those in their golden years that are in need.

KCBS’ Dave Padilla Reports:

“Even when we first bought the property in 1990 we leveraged a lot of financing sources for affordable housing and we’ve always maintained it as affordable housing,” said Seshadri.

One of the 72-year-old residents who lives in the rehabilitated historic hotel said she was living in a rundown apartment complex, fearing for her life.

“There was a lot of noise and traffic. I didn’t feel safe. I’ve been here two years now and I am happy,”

Bridge Housing is working on a similar project in the Fruitvale District of East Oakland that should be done by June of this year. It’ll accommodate more than 80 very low-income seniors.

She says she used to live in a rundown apartment complex where the only time she ventured outside was to go to church. Bridge Housing has another project going on in East Oakland’s Fruitvale District which will accommodate more than 80 very low-income seniors.

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