35 Years of Service to San Mateo County
Thirty-five years ago, seven community social workers gathered to discuss the many needs of San Mateo County, the gaps in services, and what they could do to make a difference. It all began in 1972, with an anbitous dream and a three year grant of $9,000 per year from The San Francisco Foundation. The Human Investment Project emerged serving as a cataylst to meet the needs in the community. They began with community organizing for in-home care for seniors, started a 24 hour child abuse hotline, and a program for the blind. In 1979, HIP’s first Executive Director and Associate Director, Lois Almen Everett and Joelle Perkocha were hired. In 1980, they launched the Home Sharing Program in San Mateo County to serve seniors. In its first year it made 20 matches. Today, the Home Sharing Program matches over 300 individuals annually, and is open to people of all ages. Over the past 35 years, over 13,000 persons have benefitted from home sharing arrangements. The Home Sharing Program made HIP Housing aware of the growing need for affordable housing in the County, and launched HIP Housing into the affordable housing sector.
As the lack of affordable housing became a high priority in the County and affected more than the senior population; HIP expanded its programs to assist low-income single parents and the low-income population, including persons with disabilities. In 1986, the Home Equity Conversion program began, offering seniors third party reverse mortgage counseling. Then the Self-Sufficiency Program began in 1991, a program that provides single families with housing assistance and case management to help parents achieve educational goals and financial independence. To date, over 200 families (single and two parent households) have graduated from the Self-Sufficiency Program. To help a broader low-income population, in 1995 HIP expanded its Property Development portfolio by acquiring existing apartment complexes and rehabilitating them to add to the pool of affordable housing. HIP Housing manages eight properties, owns three shared houses, and recently acquired its tenth apartment complex. (See page 4.) HIP Housing has received a number of awards for its service to the community. Most recently, HIP Housing was honored with the Mayor’s Award from the City of San Mateo for helping those in need find a place to call home. Considered a leader in the area of affordable housing, HIP Housing’s work is making a difference in thousands of people’s lives. An ambitous dream that started 35 years ago and staffed solely by volunteers, is now a reality that has served over 35,000 individuals, staffed by 15 employees and governed by 20 board members. HIP Housing with your support, will continue to help those in need, find a place to call home.
HIP Housing creates a place to call home for over 1,000 people in San Mateo County every year
