The Hope Center and Berkeley Way is a joint development between non-profit developers BRIDGE Housing and non-profit developer/service provider Insight Housing (formerly Berkeley Food & Housing Project (BFHP)). This project represents the single largest infusion of affordable and supportive housing in Berkeley’s history and is already serving as a replicable model in the region. It combines four housing types – 32 emergency shelter beds, 12 transitional housing units for veterans, 53 permanent supportive housing units, and 89 affordable apartments – into an integrated community with onsite food and support services, offering a continuum of options for residents with low income to progress through and remain long-term. Both projects offer private outdoor space, indoor community space, abundant natural light, and a welcoming, inclusive environment to encourage community and stability. With the success of this project, BFHP and BRIDGE Housing have already agreed to partner again on an even larger development adjacent to the North Berkeley BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Station, offering the chance to expand on the Hope Center/Berkeley Way model on a greater scale.​

The Hope Center & Berkeley Way Apartments create a “continuum of housing” for low income and unhoused people integrated within a vibrant, transit rich, downtown community within blocks of multiple parks, libraries and businesses. Projecting warmth, welcome, respect, and dignity, it is a place for people to begin the journey out of poverty and homelessness. The interior, common areas are generously sized, warm, and include inviting lighting and healthy materials, encouraging residents to linger and engage, building community and reducing isolation. The commercial kitchen and dining room offer community meals where food insecure people, residents, neighbors and staff meet and socialize, building a stronger community. The success of this model is exemplified by one BFHP client that has already graduated from a more service-enriched program to renting her own apartment at Berkeley Way, demonstrating the real potential for clients transitioning out of homelessness into true self-sufficiency.

It is one of the first developments in the nation to merge the full spectrum of food, shelter, and critical supportive services for individuals and families experiencing housing and food insecurity. Universal Design strategies are deployed throughout to welcome people of all abilities. Utilizing the California State Density Bonus allowed the project to increase the number of people served and housed, and the state project streamlining bill (SB35) allowed the project to speed up entitlements saving time and money by skipping the design review process during the pre-construction phase.

Location: Berkeley, California
Developers: BRIDGE Housing and Insight Housing (formerly Berkeley Food & Housing Project)