California Apartment Association

The Genesis House, a shelter that provides temporary housing in the Inland Empire, has reopened after a major renovation project partly shouldered by the California Apartment Association.

The California Apartment Association’s Greater Inland Empire division, also known as CAA-AAGIE, partnered with HomeAid Inland Empire to overhaul the 60-year-old, uninhabitable eight-unit apartment building.

HomeAid Inland Empire and CAA Inland Empire contributed more than $40,000 in construction money and obtained nearly $60,000 in in-kind donations of labor and materials. This saved Lutheran Social Services more than 40 percent on the cost of the Genesis House renovation project.

The Genesis House, near Van Buren Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, is now an updated, safe, comfortable facility that will provide up to 32 beds to individuals and families who find themselves temporarily homeless.

“One of the CAA-AAGIE Board’s top priorities is to strengthen its philanthropic efforts by partnering with community-based organizations whose missions are aligned with our organization,” said Jennifer Bedford, chairwoman of CAA’s Inland Empire board. “Connecting with HomeAid to provide additional transitional housing units for families in the Inland Empire was an easy and obvious decision.”

CAA, along with HomeAid Inland Empire and Lutheran Social Services, held a dedication ceremony Feb. 27 to mark the reopening of the facility, which provides temporary housing for homeless veterans, families, and single women with children who are working to rebuild their lives.

The LSS Genesis House has operated programs to help low-income, homeless and those at risk of homelessness since 1976.

In 2013, the organization provided emergency services such as food, lunches, clothing, bus vouchers and referrals to more than 5,200 individuals/households and families.

During construction, seven clients continued to receive after-care assistance and were helped with their first month’s rent in their new apartments. The last client moved in in July 2013.

HomeAid Inland Empire — the charitable arm of the Southern California Building Industry Association Riverside County and Baldy View Chapters — has renovated and built 27 shelter facilities over the past 23 years.

CAA Inland Empire division began its partnership with HomeAid in 2013 by raising money through the 19th Annual Summer Scramble Charity Tournament for the Genesis House. The event raised $5,000 for construction material and supplies toward rebuilding the facility.

The successful event left the CAA Inland Empire Board and members eager to further help rebuild the LSS Genesis House. Members quickly stepped up by donating an additional $40,000 in building material and supplies toward the project.

“We are very pleased with the outstanding work that was done at Genesis House and have already committed even more funds in 2014, so HomeAid and AAGIE can partner again on another homeless shelter renovation project soon,” said Tim Johnson, executive director of CAA Inland Empire.