Housing Trust Silicon Valley Launches Second Annual Guardino Affordable Housing Scholarship Fund Award


SAN JOSE, Calif., March 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Housing Trust Silicon Valley (HTSV) is officially launching the second annual Guardino Affordable Housing Scholarship Fund Award on March 14, 2014 as a way to recognize future leaders in the community by granting money towards their college costs. Any high school senior who is a current resident of an affordable housing development in Santa Clara County and is furthering their education this fall can apply by simply submitting an application to the Housing Trust.

Applications are available on the HTSV website.: http://housingtrustsv.org/programs/scholarship_fund.php

HTSV and a panel of community members will choose two applicants to receive the $3,000 Guardino Affordable Housing Scholarship Award. Two returning scholars—the inaugural winners of the Guardino Award in 2013—will also receive $2,000 towards their continuing college education.

"Most working families in Silicon Valley are spending an exorbitant percentage of their monthly income on rent because the San Jose area is one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country," said Kevin Zwick, HTSV's CEO. "We are striving each and every day to encourage housing developers to build more affordable housing units that help maintain the diversity of our community and allow more residents to live closer to where they work. It's programs like the Guardino Award that showcase how affordable housing residents can succeed and attain their goals—and hopefully be inspired to come back to Silicon Valley after they have received their college education."

The Guardino Affordable Housing Scholarship Award is named after Carl and Leslee Guardino, who helped found the Housing Trust, and dedicated over 25 years combined service on its Board of Directors. Affordable housing advocacy has been one of many of the Guardinos' passions over the years, with the impact of their efforts evident.

Affordable housing developments are providing stable and secure housing options for working families throughout Santa Clara County who cannot afford to spend a third or more of their monthly income on housing costs. HTSV supports these families every day not only through its multifamily loan program that encourages developers to fund more affordable housing, but also through programs that award the personal achievement of affordable housing residents such as the Guardino Affordable Housing Scholarship Fund Award.

The Scholarship Fund is just one of the programs that HTSV will highlight at its 2014 Investor Briefing, taking place April 23 at the Santa Clara Convention Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. To purchase tickets to the event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/housing-trust-silicon-valley-2014-investor-briefing-tickets-7760635269

For more information about the state of affordable housing in Santa Clara County, download the "Affordable Housing Funding Landscape & Local Best Practices" whitepaper from the Cities Association of Santa Clara County and HTSV: http://housingtrustsv.org/uploads/files/White_Paper_fin.pdf

About Housing Trust Silicon Valley

Housing Trust Silicon Valley (HTSV) is among the largest housing trusts in the nation financing housing and assisting first-time homebuyers. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), HTSV is nationally recognized for providing the resources and leadership needed to make housing more affordable for those who want to live in Silicon Valley. Since 2001, HTSV has invested more than $75 million and leveraged more than $1.88 billion to create more than 9,953 housing opportunities. Of those served, 83% had household incomes below 80% of the Area Medium Income (AMI).


            

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