After a devastating wildfire ravaged Sonoma County, California, Meta Housing Corp. has given families an opportunity to return to the area.
The affordable housing developer recently opened Stony Oaks Apartments, bringing 142 units to Santa Rosa, one of the communities hardest hit by the disaster.
"The 2017 Tubbs Fire caused significant housing displacement in a community that was already experiencing rising housing costs,” says Taylor Rasmussen, vice president of development. “By utilizing disaster tax credits, Stony Oaks contributes to the community’s revitalization efforts while ensuring that there are housing options with affordable rents.”
To build the new community, Meta Housing received $50 million in special low-income housing tax credits designated for disaster recovery in 2020.
Stony Oaks features 56 one-, 48 two-, and 38 three-bedroom apartments. In addition to providing large units to meet the needs of families, the team worked to offer a deep level of affordability, with 42 units set aside for households earning no more than 35% of the area median income (AMI). The remaining affordable homes are set between 40% and 60% of the AMI, and two homes are managers’ units.
Residents have access to a range of education and health programs through social service provider LifeSTEPs.
Completed in 2023, the $66.3 million development is answering the need for affordable housing and helping the community rebuild after the fire killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,300 homes.
