“It has been a blessing to have a place to call our own.” This is the sentiment expressed by Delaney, a resident of Bienestar Plaza, a new affordable housing development in Santa Cruz.

HCD joined community leaders and neighbors in celebrating the grand opening of Bienestar Plaza, a mixed-use development that provides housing and health services in one location. The complex has 57 permanent supportive homes and a 20,000 square foot community health center and dental clinic that provides medical, behavioral health, and specialty care, with a focus on pediatric care for residents at the lowest income levels.

A project of MidPen Housing in partnership with Dientes Community Dental and Santa Cruz Community Health, Bienestar Plaza is supported by more than $2.2 million from HCD’s No Place Like Home program. With the passage of Proposition 1, more permanent supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness and in need of behavioral health services are on the horizon.

On-site amenities include a community room with kitchen, a learning center, a multipurpose meeting room, a central courtyard with BBQs and play structures, and a community garden.

Delaney lives with her nephew at Bienestar. She said previously she had been stressed thinking about where they were going to live and how they were going to get by financially. She said living at Bienestar has helped alleviate some of that stress.

“It has been a struggle, but it gives us a lot of hope,” she said.

Watch the video below to hear more from Delaney and to learn more about Bienestar Plaza and the community it serves.