Meeting Our Residents Where They Are

Our Resident Services Program is integral to our mission. With heart and humility, our Resident Services team works tirelessly to connect and strengthen the Alta Housing community and brings support and resources to our over 1,000 households. It aims to bring our community together to build capacity, unite for a common purpose, and to celebrate individual and community talents, skills and assets.

We strive to create an empowering living environment that supports our residents in reaching their goals. Whether it is helping seniors live independently, making it possible for those with disabilities to live autonomously and with dignity, or promoting stability so families can focus on education and careers, living in service-enriched affordable housing creates connected neighbors, engaged lives and bright futures.

Here are some of the highlights of our work:

  • Community Building
    Community Building

    51 Community Gatherings, including family nights, holiday events and more, hosted to build a closer sense of community and lasting memories among our residents and staff

  • Empowerment
    Empowerment
    Health, Creative Enrichment, and ESL Classes

    579 hours together with the Palo Alto Adult School, we provided help to residents to find and prepare for new employment opportunities

    224 hours of English Second Language (ESL) instruction provided at six communities

  • Food Security
    Food Security

    La Comida provides our residents with 2,500 meals delivered annually

    Together with Second Harvest, we distributed 125,785 pounds of food to our residents through bi-weekly farmers’ markets

    538 deliveries of fresh and prepared meals from local businesses

  • Wellness
    Wellness
    Health and Creative Enrichment Classes

    320 hours of classes provided, including cooking, drawing, yoga, meditation, dance and Tai Chi

  • Counseling + Support
    Counseling + Support

    1,372 hours of supportive counseling offered at our communities 

    During these visits, staff provides mental health and grief support, resources for rental and utility assistance, transportation, homecare, Medicare/Medi-Cal benefits, and a supportive ear. 

  • Youth Programs
    Youth Programs
    Learners to Leaders 

    1,542 hours of programming. Alta offers after-school programs during the school year, providing homework help, snacks, reading, crafts, STEM projects, and social-emotional skill building to our youth, as well as summer programs for grades 1-12.

    We host a monthly club for elementary students and their families to enjoy dinner together along with reading and other engaging activities based on the month’s theme. Everyone leaves with books in hand and smiles on their faces.

Advance Your Career
Residents who are 22 or older and have lived in Alta Housing communities for a year or longer can apply for a scholarship to help advance their careers. Scholarships can be used towards certificate programs, community college or a four year degree. It is our hope that Alta Housing residents will use these funds to achieve career advancement and with that, the ability to pursue other housing choices.
The Opportunity Fund was created in honor of Alta Housing Board Member, Jean Dawes who has been an advocate for affordable housing and the pursuit of higher education for over 40 years. After serving on the Alta Housing Board for over 30 years, Jean stepped down in May 2019 to chair the Alta Housing Advisory Committee.