Congratulation to Alta Housing on the Opening of Wilton Court | Invest & Innovate | Steve Levy | Almanac Online |

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About this blog: I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to the area in 1963 when I started graduate school at Stanford. Nancy and I were married in 1977 and we lived for nearly 30 years in the Duveneck school area. Our children went to Paly. We moved ...  (More)

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Congratulation to Alta Housing on the Opening of Wilton Court

Uploaded: Oct 23, 2022
Shortly the Wilton Court housing project for low-income residents including 21 units for developmentally disabled adults will welcome new residents.

Sheryl Klein of Alta gave Scott O'Neil and me a tour last Wednesday right ahead of a tour for 40 potential residents.

The project is much nicer than I could have imagined. Besides the living places, there is a large community room that will also be open to public groups. And there is a large and welcoming outdoor deck on the second floor.

The building and units are electric, have sufficient wiring, heating and AC, large bathrooms in many rooms and plentiful cupboard and closet space.

Our daughter Becky was developmentally disabled and while she could not have lived at Wilton as our income is too high, I am aware of the huge benefits to these adults and their families from having an independent living space in a great location with on site services. There is a room for two half-time support staff to help these residents.

Thank you Alta, it was a long journey.

I hope you will share your experiences and thoughts with staff so Palo Alto can make it easier for Alta and others to bring new projects like Wilton to our city.
Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Local news junkie, a resident of Charleston Meadows,
on Oct 23, 2022 at 2:07 pm

Local news junkie is a registered user.

Where is Wilton Court? How many total units? What's the income limit? How to you apply? You sound very knowledgeable about the project, but probably lots of your readers aren't.


Posted by stephen levy, a resident of University South,
on Oct 23, 2022 at 2:27 pm

stephen levy is a registered user.

Wilton Court is at the corner of Wilton and El Camino
I believe there are 59 units
The project is for residents with not more than 60% of the Area Median Income
I believe you apply on the Alta Housing website but not sure of that.


Posted by mjh, a resident of College Terrace,
on Oct 23, 2022 at 2:56 pm

mjh is a registered user.

I'm glad to read a good review of the finished Wilton Court project. Doria Summa on the Planning Commission worked hard and successfully advocated to improve the original design and amenities for the future residents.


Posted by Native to the BAY, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Oct 23, 2022 at 11:32 pm

Native to the BAY is a registered user.

Thank you Mr. Levy ! And thanks for being actively and seriously involved in the Wilton plan from start to finish. It's always great hearing good news. I have hope. I am super grateful that the design of the interior apartments are made to be homes for humans with differing abilities, with plenty of storage and good appliances and good solid cabinets. Also that entire complex is welcoming to the Ventura neighborhood. Sounds like these meet many needs and levels for our community. Your thoughts and expertise matter more than you can know.

@localnewsjunkie The interest list only closed Sept 30. It's surprising if they'v already chosen 59 tenants? Lease ups like these can be detailed and take some time for income verifications etc. I know many who applied for the interest list before the deadline and have yet to hear any response. Crossing my fingers they'll get word soon. I am sure the number of applicants was quite a task to sort through.

Also I so hope that more such homes can be built in Palo Alto that can accomodate families with larger floor plans. Since they were able to include amazing quality for the life maturity and security of its residents it will surely bring comfort to those who struggle with challenges. We so need the neighborhood to be welcoming to these new residents. I am so so pleased that the community space was made to so other groups can be part of the wonder of the new Wilton Court. I look forward to more of this goodness for people of all ages, abilities, sizes -- for a diversity of good quality low-income developers Alta, Eden, Mid-Pen.


Posted by Terelle Jackson, a resident of East Palo Alto,
on Oct 24, 2022 at 8:19 am

Terelle Jackson is a registered user.

To what degree is the criteria for being considered developmentally disabled?

Congenital defects at birth and/or later (e.g. PTSD, substance abuse, accident-related, mentally ill, inability to manage one's personal & financial affairs etc.)?

Is this program restricted to Palo Alto residents only or can folks from EPA, the SF Tenderloin, the homeless communities at St. James Park & Guadalupe Parkway (San Jose) also apply for housing?


Posted by stephen levy, a resident of University South,
on Oct 24, 2022 at 9:28 am

stephen levy is a registered user.

Terelle,

This is my understanding but I welcome someone from Alta to weigh in.

The developmentally disabled adults come from clients of agencies that serve them like Housing Choices.

There are no restrictions on where applicants live now but preferences can be given to Palo Alto residents.


Posted by Paly Grad, a resident of Leland Manor/Garland Drive,
on Nov 15, 2022 at 9:48 pm

Paly Grad is a registered user.

Regional Centers offer support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The San Andreas Regional Center is one of 21 regional centers throughout California serving individuals and their families who reside within Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

Any person, residing in the four county areas, regardless of age, cultural background, or income, believed to have a developmental disability, may receive diagnostic services to assess eligibility. To be considered eligible, the disability must have originated before the age of eighteen, be likely to continue indefinitely, and constitute a substantial handicap.

The eligible conditions are: Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Autism, and other conditions closely related to intellectual disability.

The Golden Gate Regional Center provides services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties


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