HOPE Plans for Capital Improvements Over the Next Few Years
The seven-unit complex on Lemon Avenue has served as a vital source of affordable housing for years. With support from the funders, HOPE is now planning a series of much-needed upgrades—starting with a new on-site laundry unit that will make everyday life easier for residents.
Behind every HOPE home is a promise—to preserve safe, comfortable, and dignified housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That promise takes constant care and long-term planning. Over the past year, HOPE invested nearly half a million dollars in capital improvements across its housing portfolio, and the team is already laying the groundwork for the next phase of upgrades and repairs.
Each project begins with a detailed capital needs assessment, ensuring that every dollar goes where it’s needed most. From plumbing and roofing to heating and accessibility upgrades, the goal is simple: to make sure HOPE homes remain strong, functional, and beautiful for decades to come.
HOPE’s CFO has been working closely with Cathay Bank and Brown & Brown Insurance to safeguard the financial health of these properties. Together, they are meticulously updating reserve schedules to keep projects on track and within budget. Additional grant and city funding are being pursued to expand the organization’s capacity for larger capital projects—one of which is already underway at the Lemon Avenue property in Long Beach.
The seven-unit complex on Lemon Avenue has served as a vital source of affordable housing for years. With support from grant funders, HOPE is now planning a series of much-needed upgrades—starting with a new on-site laundry unit that will make everyday life easier for residents. The team is exploring options for energy-efficient electric water heaters, reconfiguring plumbing, and improving heating systems for comfort and safety. Even small details—like lowering heating vents, adding exterior lighting, and repainting the back security gate—are being thoughtfully addressed.
Rose, one of HOPE’s longtime project managers, has been leading the coordination effort. On any given week, she’s on-site meeting with the general contractor Robert, the electrician Brian, the plumber Kenneth, and Mike, who’s overseeing the new fencing. Together, they’re reimagining the outdoor area as a welcoming, family-friendly space—white vinyl fencing, string lights zig-zagging overhead, and shaded seating for residents to relax and gather.
When the team faced high permitting costs for the laundry addition, Rose proposed an innovative solution: a pre-fabricated laundry shed that would meet the building’s needs while saving over $10,000 in design and permit fees. The shed will be insulated, drywalled, and fitted with polished concrete flooring—housing two washers, two dryers, and practical cabinetry.
Next month, Rose will meet with the city and the project architect to finalize clearances and confirm foundation requirements. It’s a complex process involving plumbing, electrical work, and coordination between multiple trades—but to Rose, it’s worth every detail. “These improvements don’t just maintain our buildings,” she says. “They protect the stability and comfort of the people who call them home.”
As HOPE continues to grow, capital improvements like these ensure that every property remains a lasting part of the developmental disability housing system—safe, affordable, and cared for with the same dedication that defines HOPE’s mission.