Northern California's First Home for Developmentally Disabled Seniors Designed by KTGY Opens

HomeAid Northern California recently dedicated Phase 1 of the Village at Walpert Center in Hayward. This is HomeAid's 1st home for developmentally disabled seniors, and 9th project. Architecture and planning firm, KTGY Group designed these homes. Upon completion in late summer 2010, the development will include five identical six-bedroom homes. End Quote

Oakland, CA (1888PressRelease) July 21, 2010 - HomeAid Northern California recently dedicated Phase 1 of the Village at Walpert Center in Hayward. This is HomeAid's first home for developmentally disabled seniors, and ninth project. Upon completion in late summer 2010, the development will include five identical six-bedroom homes. Phase I, which is now ready for occupancy, consists of two 3,410-square-foot homes and is the culmination of four years of hard work by Builder Captains Pulte Group, Ponderosa Homes, Meritage Homes, and William Lyon Homes; with the assistance of Emerald Glen, The Walpert Center and many subcontractors, suppliers and consultants.

Architecture and planning firm, KTGY Group, Inc., designed these homes with careful thought into the design that would not only be great quality but accommodate the special needs and abilities of the residents that would live there.

"We wanted the residents to feel comfortable, like the homes they might have grown up in," said KTGY's Jill Williams, AIA and Principal. "We incorporated a large living space for multiple activities, dining space for all the residents to congregate and a large kitchen with an island to allow multiple preparation areas and good flow.

"The parents of the future residents that we worked with during the design phase offered invaluable insight to what would be necessary as well as what they just wished for in a quality residence. Their struggle to find a place to call home for their adult children is what inspired the team to dedicate themselves to this effort. Individual bedrooms, shared baths, and universal design techniques were all integrated and carefully detailed," Williams added.

"Additionally, it was important that the home design was simple and could be repeated when you are working with volunteers and contributions. The City wanted the highest quality and best design that the team could create and that is what the residents will now have," stated Williams.

Roughly 50 percent of the cost of Village at Walpert Center Phase 1 came by way of donations. HEDCO Foundation donated $100,000 towards the foundations of the five homes.

"We have been very impressed by the enthusiasm, generosity and follow-through of the builder captains and their trade partners who adopted this project," said Julie O'Connor, Executive Director of HomeAid Northern California. "They stayed the course through permit delays, weather issues, and the many challenges that come with coordinating dozens of separate companies to accomplish one goal."

The Village at Walpert Center is the first project of its kind in Alameda County and the type of project HomeAid Northern California is proud to show as a model for future collaborations. "I think we were particularly interested because this project dealt with a segment of the population that is both overlooked and underserved, Developmentally Disabled Seniors-or better put, 'Adult Orphans,'" said Jeff Scofield, Area Director of Purchasing for Pulte Group of Pleasanton, California. "For the first time in history, the developmentally disabled are outliving their parents."

Co-builder Captain Ralph Walker of Ponderosa Homes stated, "Getting involved with HomeAid is so fulfilling. It really becomes more about personal fulfillment than what you might gain otherwise."

Walker added, "The trade partners who worked with us on the Village at Walpert Center have been the same ones who step up time and time again."

In the 10 years since its inception, HomeAid Northern California has built and furnished nine shelters, totalling 504 beds. In partnership with the organization's Care Providers, HomeAid Northern California has had the resources to change more than 6,600 lives. Current projects under development in northern California are Mission Solano Bridge to Life Center in Fairfield, Shepherd's Gate Life Center in Livermore and Downtown Street Team in San Jose.

To donate cash, time or materials, or for more information regarding HomeAid programs, shelters and services, contact Julie O'Connor of HomeAid Northern California at (925) 906-9139 or visit www.homeaidnc.org.

About HomeAid Northern California
HomeAid Northern California is the 8th chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1999 by the Home Builders Association of Northern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 10 housing developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults, homeless families and wounded veterans. www.homeaidnc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver.

See www.ktgy.com.

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