Community Catalysts Housing Alliance Announces Partnership with the Tom Hom Group.

Partners to Create First Disabled Affordable Housing Project in San Diego 

SAN DIEGO -- Community Catalysts today announced that it has entered into a unique partnership with the San Diego-based developer Tom Hom Group (THG) to promote their affordable housing initiative, Community Catalysts Housing Alliance, and to develop an affordable housing project.

Community Catalysts also recently announced the formation of an independent 501c (3) subsidiary, Community Catalysts Housing Alliance, to develop partnerships, seek financing and undertake fundraising to create affordable housing in the San Diego area.

"We conducted an exhaustive search for a development partner with real-world experience building the type of housing that we envision for our constituents," said Jim Jenkins, CEO of Community Catalysts. "The Tom Hom Group has a proven track record of building and managing award-winning single room occupancy (SRO) units that match the interests and needs of our constituents. Affordable housing for the disabled is virtually non-existent in San Diego and we are positive that our partnership with THG will result in a top-notch housing project that will address this critical lack of accessible and affordable housing," said Jenkins.

Working together since the 1970s, THG principles Tom Hom and Will Newbern have a long history of developing and constructing apartment complexes, shopping centers, and mixed use commercial and residential projects. THG is also one of the few firms that specialize in rehabilitating, building and operating SRO housing. THG utilizes a unique combination of "one-stop-shop" skills, which includes partnering government with private enterprise, financing procurement, entitlement negotiation, project design, construction management, and proprietary management and operation systems.

"All of us at the Tom Hom Group are very excited to be working with Jim Jenkins and the Community Catalysts Housing Alliance. We anticipate that our development experience combined with their passion for helping the disabled live independently and affordably will result in a win-win for the San Diego region and the disabled community," said Will Newbern, CEO of Tom Hom Group.

THG has built SRO projects across the nation, including Campaige Place, Las Vegas, which was designed by renowned San Diego architect Rob Wellington Quigley and won "Best State Development 2000" in Nevada. Local projects include Peachtree Inn and Trolley Court in downtown San Diego, which won the prestigious "Golden Nugget Award" for best multi-family affordable housing project.

A group from Community Catalysts recently toured THG's Peachtree Inn to gain a greater understanding of the construction and management of an SRO. Peachtree Inn is an 18,000 sq. ft., 296 unit SRO in "The East Village" of downtown San Diego that provides convenient and affordable housing within walking distance of the Gaslamp Quarter and access to public transportation.

The tour was led by THG's CEO Will Newbern and Acquisitions & Development Manager Patrick Hook, and by Brenda Chisholm, the on-site manager of the Peachtree Inn.

"We were impressed by the size and efficiency of the apartments we saw," continued Jenkins. "There were a lot more amenities than we expected for only $595 to $795 per month, including housekeeping, underground parking, and cable television. Peachtree Inn also has an excellent key card security system and 24-hour front desk assistance. These are all amenities that we will replicate in the accessible SRO project we intend to build in the near future to meet our clients' needs," concluded Jenkins.

Community Catalysts of California is a nonprofit 501c (3) public benefit corporation that has offices throughout California and serves over 1,000 individuals with developmental and other disabilities. They provide training and support services including employment, housing, and daily living skills. For more information about Community Catalysts, please visit their website, www.communitycatalysts.org, or call 858-569-1055.