Housing
Tri-Valley REACH provides truly affordable housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are ready for more independence. Our housing model centers on shared homes in Tri-Valley neighborhoods, where each resident has a private bedroom and shared common spaces that feel like any other home on the block.
What a REACH Home Is
A REACH home looks like any other house on the street. Inside, residents share kitchens, living rooms, and outdoor areas, and each person has a bedroom that is theirs alone. Homes are modified as needed for accessibility, with changes like grab bars, wider doorways, and other adjustments that make moving around simpler and safer.
Life in a REACH home includes everyday tasks that build independence, such as planning meals, cooking simple dishes, keeping spaces tidy, and handling shared responsibilities around the house. The REACH team strives to match compatible roommates and offers ongoing support to help residents navigate challenges and maintain positive living relationships.
Who Our Housing Serves
REACH housing is designed for adults with I/DD who are ready to live independently and want a stable place that fits their needs. Many residents are on extremely low incomes and cannot afford typical market rent, even in units labeled as affordable by broader standards.
Applicants must be clients of the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), which coordinates services and determines eligibility. REACH works closely with support agencies and families to make sure new residents understand what shared housing involves.
How Rent Works
Rent at REACH properties is income-based, with residents typically paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent. Because rent is tied to income rather than market rates, residents are not pushed out by rising housing costs or sudden changes in the local market. In most cases, rent has been as low as around $350 per month, making it possible for people with extremely low incomes to live in their own home instead of remaining in a family household or institutional setting.
This very affordable structure is not an add‑on feature. It sits at the heart of the housing model and shapes how REACH plans budgets, pursues grants, and works with cities and donors. Keeping rent low gives residents breathing room to pay for daily needs and participate in local life without constant fear of losing housing.
Daily Independent Living
Independent living at REACH does not mean residents are left to figure everything out alone. It means they have room to grow, practice skills, and make choices that matter in an environment tuned to their abilities. Residents shop for groceries, learn to ride the bus or use other transit, manage small personal tasks, continue their education, find hobbies, and discover new routines that fit them.
Neighbors see residents walking to the mailbox, taking out recycling, or waiting at the bus stop, and over time those small interactions turn into real relationships. This daily presence helps shift how people view adults with I/DD and builds a sense of belonging that benefits everyone on the block, not only the residents inside REACH homes.
FAQs
Who is eligible for Tri-Valley REACH housing?
REACH housing is for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are ready to live independently with appropriate support and want a shared home in the Tri-Valley area. To qualify, applicants must also be clients of Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), which coordinates services and determines eligibility.
Do applicants need to be clients of the Regional Center of the East Bay?
Yes. To qualify for housing, applicants must be clients of Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), which coordinates services and determines eligibility.
What kinds of homes does REACH offer?
REACH owns a mix of housing types in Tri-Valley neighborhoods, including single family homes, duplexes, and smaller multifamily units. All properties follow the shared home model, with private bedrooms and shared common spaces.
Do residents have private bedrooms?
Yes. Residents do not share bedrooms. Each person has a private room, and common spaces are shared, which balances privacy with social connection and keeps the home feeling comfortable for everyone.
How is rent set and why is it considered very affordable?
Rent is based on each resident’s income and is set at a level that works for people in extremely low income brackets. In past examples, rents have been around three hundred fifty dollars per month, far below typical regional rates, which helps keep housing stable and sustainable for the people who need it most.
Is there a waitlist for housing?
There is usually a waitlist, since demand for very affordable housing for adults with I/DD is high. Prospective residents can submit a housing and waitlist application, and REACH uses that list when homes or rooms become available.
Is preference given to people connected to the Tri-Valley area?
Preference is often given to adults who live in the Tri-Valley or have close family in the area. This helps keep residents near their existing support networks and familiar places, which can make transitions smoother. Not living in the Tri-Valley does not exclude you from being eligible for a REACH Home.
Does REACH provide services inside the homes?
No, REACH does not provide services inside the home. Through RCEB and support agencies, residents are connected to Independent Living Services, Supported Living Services, In-Home Supportive Services, and other resources. REACH focuses on owning and maintaining the homes, coordinating resident services where needed, and working through roommate or household issues so the housing environment stays healthy.
