Cesar Chavez Foundation breaks ground on new high-quality affordable housing community in Fresno for low-income intergenerational families

June 20 celebration features speaking program with Foundation President Paul Chavez, District 3 representative for Fresno Board of Supervisors Sal Quintero, and son of Sal Gonzales Sr.

FRESNO, CA (June 19, 2018) – The Cesar Chavez Foundation is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for Las Palmas de Sal Gonzales, Sr., a new intergenerational affordable housing community in southeast Fresno on June 20. This new residential community will feature 135 units of affordable housing.

“We’re pleased to break ground on our fifth affordable housing community in Fresno,” said Paul Chavez, President, Cesar Chavez Foundation. “In addition providing families and seniors with high-quality housing, the property will also include an afterschool program for young residents and programs for seniors.”

Eighty-nine units at Las Palmas de Sal Gonzales, Sr. will be designated for low income families and an additional 46 units for low income seniors. The buildings will include a computer lab, recreational room, community kitchen, patio courtyard, picnic area, garden area, child activity area, two multipurpose rooms, a library and senior activity area.

The property will house a Si Se Puede Learning Center, CCF’s flagship afterschool program available to young residents, as well as a Si Se Puede Senior Center that enables resident seniors to be active both mentally and physically and empower them to develop joyful, healthful and meaningful lives.

The project was funded primarily through California’s cap and trade program – one of the largest amounts given out in California. It received federal tax credits, state tax credits, tax exempt bonds proceeds and assistance from the City of Fresno. Las Palmas de Sal Gonzales, Sr. will be an energy efficient property with walk paths, bike paths, improved crosswalks and street lighting to better connect residents to four new bus rapid transit stops along the Kings Canyon corridor, linking residents and riders to major retail, social services, education and employment opportunities.

The property is named for Sal Gonzales, Sr. a farmworker and delegate at the United Farm Workers (UFW) Founding Convention in 1962. He supported Cesar Chavez, the UFW and union strikes including the Delano grape walkouts. Sal was very active in politics and aided farm worker lobbying efforts in Sacramento. He was the director of an anti-poverty program called West Side Planning which assisted small Latino family farmers.

Who: CCF President Paul F. Chavez, COO Manuel Bernal, EVP of Housing and Economic Development Alfredo Izmajtovich, District 3 representative for Fresno Board of Supervisors Sal Quintero and Sal Gonzales (son of Sal Gonzales, Sr.)

What: Groundbreaking of Las Palmas de Sal Gonzales, Sr., a new 135 unit affordable housing community

When: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Where: 5070 E Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA 93727 (drop off location)