Latest news from RCD – Summer 2022

From left to right: Hector Leyva from the State of California Housing and Community Development department, Mayor Sam Liccardo, Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco, Camille Llanes-Fontanilla from the Sabrato Foundation and Trina Villanueva from Union Bank

Celebrating 71 New Homes Opening in San Jose

Thank you to the 100+ supporters who attended the Grand Opening of Quetzal Gardens last month. It was a joy to celebrate this shared achievement with our supporters, partners and community members. A big thank you to our event sponsor, Union Bank, who helped make this development possible.

As Mayor Sam Liccardo remarked at the event, “What we have is a jewel of our city – as I look at Quetzal Gardens, I think, why can’t all our housing look this beautiful, this spectacular, this colorful?” We couldn’t agree more!

William’s Path to Advocacy

William Goodwin was one of first residents to move into Los Medanos Village in Pittsburg. His new home changed his family’s future and set him a path toward community advocacy.

William was born and raised in Oakland, and he was living in Contra Costa County when an injury prevented him from working. For over 7 years, William moved between the houses of friends and families in search of an affordable home. In 2010, RCD opened Los Medanos Village, a 100% affordable housing community with 71 apartments for low-income families, and William was thrilled when his application was accepted.

“I was ready! Having all my documentation made all the difference because I got the last available apartment.”

Once William was in stable and affordable housing, everything changed. With his young daughter, he started making plans. Soon they were thriving, and his thoughts turned to how he could give back.

“I was always thinking about the other 2,300 people on that waitlist, and it just didn’t sit right with me. So I started working and volunteering with Family Independence Initiative [now called UpTogether], an organization that helps accelerate the initiatives people are taking to rebuild their lives.”

“Whether I’m fighting for housing justice, social justice, or education – it’s all aligned with building community and fighting for equity. But without affordable housing, none of this could have happened.”

From there, William became involved with Hope Solutions’ Resident Empowerment Program, which led him to A link to: East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO). He joined their leadership development program and then graduated from A link to: Urban Habitat’s Board and Commission Leadership Institute (BCLI). William now serves on a total of 5 boards, councils or committees – all through the lens of equity and changing the narrative.

“Whether I’m fighting for housing justice, social justice, or education – it’s all aligned with building community and fighting for equity. But without affordable housing, none of this could have happened. I just feel blessed to be able to do all these things.”

Now with his daughter heading off for college this fall, an opportunity he wasn’t able to pursue, he reflects on their journey.

“I always think of the saying (by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), ‘if you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.’ I see my daughter watching me and I know it’s forming her vision of what community should be and how we each have a part. I’m hoping that the great thing is actually her and what she will do.”

Check out the progress on Sango Court, RCD’s first modular development!

Production is underway for A link to: #SangoCourt at the A link to: @autovolinc Factory! Here is a behind the scenes look at the process. A link to: @RCDHousing A link to: @davidbakerfaia A link to: #Nibbi22 A link to: #Autovol A link to: #HouseofDesign A link to: #Modular A link to: #ModularConstruction A link to: pic.twitter.com/qaokJYsjai
— Nibbi (@NibbiBrothers) A link to: August 9, 2022

Thank you, Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, for sharing this behind-the-scenes look at the production of the modules for Sango Court. The first batch of modules – complete apartments with flooring, appliances, plumbing and all – have arrived from Idaho. Installation of the modules on the concrete ground floor will begin in September.

Staff Spotlight: Jean DiMaria

Jean joined our asset management team in May 2019 where she quickly applied her expertise in commercial space asset management to our growing portfolio.

Where did you get your start in asset management and working with commercial properties?
I started out as a professional baker which brought me to the Bay Area. After that, I worked in the hotel business for over 25 years where I built up an expertise in commercial asset management and gained experience in finding and working with commercial tenants. At the time I joined RCD, our commercial portfolio was growing and there was a realization that this portfolio needed more attention. In addition to helping manage our residential portfolio, I was also able to put my commercial skillset into use right away.

Tell us about a commercial success story
I’m really excited about the vision of Quetzal Gardens (7. N. King Rd., San Jose). La Esquina de Quetzal, as the three commercial tenants have named it, is the ground floor space of Quetzal Gardens and is now home to SOMOS Mayfair, Excite Credit Union and the Latino Business Foundation. It’s the most complicated commercial space we have – both in the design and in operations – with potential to be so impactful for the local community.

What new tenant are you excited about?
I’m currently working with Healthy Black Families at Maudelle Miller Shirek Community (2001 Ashby Ave. in Berkeley) which is under construction. It’s been great to take the lessons learned from Quetzal Gardens and use them right away to start planning for moving in logistics, for example. They’re going to be a great cornerstone for Maudelle and the surrounding community.

What do you enjoy about working with commercial tenants?
I just want our commercial tenants to succeed. It’s almost a literal transition of our name, we use our resources – capital, expertise, skills – to contribute to our community through development. We don’t just provide spaces, we also provide technical assistance and guidance to help businesses succeed.

What’s a fun fact about you?
When I was in high school, I would dress up as Mr. Peanut for tradeshows. I’d wear the full Mr. Peanut costume – top hat and monocle – and hand out peanuts!

I just want our commercial tenants to succeed. It’s almost a literal transition of our name, we use our resources – capital, expertise, skills – to contribute to our community through development.

Remembering Neil Mayer

One of RCD’s founders and former board member, Neil Mayer, passed away on July 16. A link to: As noted in his obituary, he was “a man dedicated to using his skills and talent to improve the lives of others.” As Berkeley’s first Director of Economic Development and a brilliant innovator, Neil had a major influence on national and local policy in economics, housing, and community development. His legacy will endure in many ways, including in the lives of the 5,200 people living in the affordable rental homes RCD provides across the region.

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