In This Issue
A link to: Civic Crossing Begins Construction
93 new homes begin to take shape in Walnut Creek.
A link to: Resident Spotlight: A New Chapter for Luis
Luis brings free engineering courses to underserved young adults.
A link to: Madrone Terrace Opens It’s Doors
79 families and a new community center find homes in Ashland.
A link to: Residents Lead the Way in Alameda County
A community organizes to build power through budget advocacy.
A link to: Nellie Hannon Gateway Nears Full Occupancy
90 households and a beloved nonprofit settle into Emeryville homes.
After years of uncertainty and hardship, Luis and his son finally have a place to call home at A link to: Maudelle Miller Shirek Community in Berkeley. The journey here wasn’t easy, but for Luis, a retired Army veteran, entrepreneur, and computer engineer, it marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with comfort, stability, and hope.
“I mean, even living in the van is mostly not great,” Luis recalls. “You’re protected from the elements, but you’re still terribly inconvenienced. To eat and cook is a very big production. And certainly to bathe. So to be in a place where you can actually make your own meals — something I enjoyed for most of my life — now I really appreciate it.”
Luis’s life has been full of accomplishments. He served in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, raised a family, and built a career that spanned real estate, restaurant ownership, and computer engineering — including 10 years at UC Berkeley. He even designed a computer-based musical instrument interface that was sold to Yamaha in the 1980s.
But after he retired, his roommate lost his job and moved out. Luis couldn’t afford the rent for the apartment in Berkeley on his own. He and his son spent much of the pandemic living in a van, using up their savings while searching for work. Despite receiving Social Security, the challenges of homelessness were overwhelming. Luis signed up for every housing opportunity he could find across California and was thrilled when an opportunity opened up in Berkeley.
Now, settled into their new apartment, Luis and his son have worked hard to furnish their home with donated items. Luis especially cherishes his bed and the kitchen, finally able to enjoy his retirement with the comfort and stability of his new rental home. His son is exploring opportunities to return to school and pursue a graduate degree.
This newfound stability has inspired Luis to give back to his community. He developed and is teaching a free course for high school and college students called Beginning Digital Electronic Engineering, designed to inspire young people to explore careers in technology and understand the inner workings of the digital world.
“I have the time now,” Luis says. “I’m never going to amass any big wealth, but I’m rich with knowledge and this is my moment to give back to underprivileged kids, to struggling high schoolers and college students that don’t have the kind of resources that they should… I’m getting the same kind of satisfaction that a teacher gets when they know they’ve conveyed something of intellectual value.”
Luis’s story is a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and the power of stable housing. We’re honored to have Luis as part of our community and look forward to seeing the next chapter of his journey unfold.
Designed by A link to: LPAS and constructed by A link to: J.H. Fitzmaurice, Nellie Hannon Gateway offers studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for households earning between $10,000 and $96,000** per year. The building features a large third-level landscaped courtyard, community room, and secure parking for bikes and cars. Forty-five households with special needs, including those exiting homelessness, will receive comprehensive, on-site supportive services through our partnership with A link to: LifeLong Medical Care.
As The John Stewart Company, LifeLong Medical Care, and RCD’s Resident Services team work tirelessly to welcome new residents, Nellie Hannon Gateway demonstrates how affordable housing can celebrate local creativity and anchor vital services to meet today’s needs while strengthening a community’s future.
** Income limits are updated annually and vary by household size, county, and unit type. $97,000 is the maximum income a four‑person household could earn to qualify for a three‑bedroom apartment at Nellie Hannon Gateway.
Thank You to Our Community
RCD’s success wouldn’t be possible without the incredible network of partners, supporters, and advocates who believe in the power of affordable housing to transform lives and strengthen communities. From construction workers to community organizers, from local officials to resident leaders, from long-time supporters to new advocates—each of you plays a vital role in creating a constellation of community across the Bay Area.
Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible. Together, we’re creating lasting change—one home, one resident, one neighborhood at a time.
Stay engaged
Join RCD’s Housing Action Network to receive advocacy opportunity alerts directly to your inbox. Learn about upcoming public meetings, policy discussions, and other ways to show your support for affordable housing initiatives in your community.
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