MONTEBELLO APARTMENTS A Bienestar Farmworker Property

From This: To This:

Fast Facts About Montebello Apts. Built in apartments ( 21 3BR, 3 4BR) 3.8 acre site Cost $4.8 million to develop ($100K/unit) Bienestar is General Partner Homestead Capital is Limited Partner Financing: LIHTC, HOME, OHCS, KeyBank Amenities: Playground, laundry, community room Occupancy guidelines: Agriculture + 40% or less of area median income. Rents range from $515 - $706 for 2-4 bedroom apartments 1 block from MAX; Bienestar office onsite Property Manager = Elba Flores

More Fast Facts Current Occupancy = 97% Managed by Princeton Property Management under Laura Flores Recent Improvements Deck under historic tree + landscaping Community room expansion New maintenance storage closet New storage closet for Bienestar

Resident Services Offered to Montebello Residents GED Classes onsite every week Financial Literacy Classes ESL Classes IDA Program Computer Classes onsite Counseling services onsite or at home Free Income Tax Preparation Free H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Cooking/Nutrition Classes Audubon Family Outings Special Presentations: Gangs, Diabetes Holiday Party for Families Blazers Game Outing Clothes from Columbia Sportswear Food from Oregon Food Bank Emergency Cash Assistance Program Annual Resident Meeting Adults Semillas de Éxito

Resident Services Offered to Montebello Residents Youth Programs: Listos Para Vida Homework Club AKA Science Club Financial Fitness for Life Zoo to You Kids on the Block Summer Reading Safari Summer Lunch & Fun Explorador Nature Camp Art: Fish Friendship Fence Girl Scouts

Montebello Promotores My name is Guillermina Alonso, from Puebla Mexico. I have been living on Bienestar’s properties for 5 years and I started as a Bienestar Promotora three years ago. The Promotora program has made many changes in my life, I’ve learned how to communicate better with my neighbors, and that has been a positive impact in my life. One of the things I like to do as a Promotora is fill out the paper work and attend all the meetings. I also serve as a Bienestar Board member. The message I want others to hear is: if someone has the opportunity to be a Promotor, do not hesitate to do it and be part of Bienestar’s mission. Guillermina Alonso Completed 40 Home Visits this program year.

Montebello Promotores My name is Alejandro Ortega, I have lived in Montebello for 8 years. I have 4 children 1 boy and three girls. This is my third year as a Bienestar Promotor, and this opportunity has been a great thing for me. I’ve been able to take ESL, Computer and GED classes. What I like to do the most as a Promotor is to give information to the families about the programs on Bienestar Properties and in the community. This program gives us many opportunities and knowledge to help our neighbors and it is worth it to be involved in the sense of personal growth and seeing people’s lives changed for the better. Alejandro Ortega 27 Home Visits this program year.

Resident Survey 2009 Door-to-door; minutes 75% response rate; 36 responses Last survey was in 2007 What We Learned –Majority came to Montebello from apartments shared with others –2 families came directly from migrant worker camps. –100% of respondents were Latino –100% listed Spanish as primary language –100% were farmworkers – most with nurseries; spouses work in service jobs (laundry, fast food, cook, food processing) –Average length of time at Montebello = 6 years –Average family size = 5

Resident Survey, continued Average age of residents = 37 Children: 79 ages 0-17 –Ages 0-5 = 36 –Ages 6-11 = 30 –Ages = 13 Income levels –58% make between $10,000-$19,999 –14% make between $1,000-9,999 –5 families make between $20,000-25,999 Education –36% had less than 6 th grade education –29% attended to 6 th -8 th grade –16% attended high school in Mexico; 7 of those 9 had graduated –2 residents had attended college

Resident Survey, continued Employment –23% had experienced reduced hours in the past year. –33% had experienced layoffs in the past year. Health Care –4 of 31 respondents had health care partially paid by employer –69% had OHP (Oregon Health Plan) for 1 or more members of the family.

Resident Survey, continued Services needed/wanted: –83%: help in immigration issues –97%: information on legalization –100%: help to learn English –78%: help with money management –92%: training for better job outside agriculture –53%: need food –53%: help for children with homework –71%: help interpreting/translating –85%: help doing my income taxes

Resident Survey, continued What are your dreams for your family? –That our children have good careers and become professionals (6) –To attain legal/citizenship status (5) –To buy our own house (4) –Learn English; get better jobs (5) –Examples: That our children finish their studies and get a good education. Our dream is always to be together. To continue to be able to provide a home for the well-being of my children To have enough money to be able to buy things that my son dreams about and wishes to have. To have good health and that we don’t lack the basic necessities.