Hillcrest Partners with Second Harvest Food Bank
With food insecurity on the rise, we’ve added Second Harvest Food Bank to our nonprofit beneficiaries.
According to the USDA, more than 34 million Americans (including 9 million children) face food insecurity — meaning they do not have access to sufficient food to meet their basic needs.Santa Cruz County is certainly not immune to this disturbing trend. The most recent Food Insecurity Index Findings report that approximately 40,900 households in the county (roughly 93,000 residents) are at risk of experiencing food insecurity. In an effort to help stem the tide of food insecurity, Hillcrest will donate $1,000 for each of the first 10 homes we sell to select nonprofits, including Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest Food Bank’s mission is to inspire and support Santa Cruz County to provide nourishment for all community members. The nonprofit strives to continually improve processes and protocols to support inclusive and equitable practices and decision making at all organization levels.
Hillcrest’s 11-acre development overlooking Watsonville’s natural wetlands will provide a much-needed influx of housing. Twenty percent of those homes will be made available at below market rate (BMR) levels for qualified buyers eligible for the City of Watsonville’s Affordable Housing Program.
It’s vital that this development stands as a model of community and sustainability, providing benefits to all residents — and the planet. The project will be universally eco-friendly, offering electric vehicle charging connections, water conservation fixtures, EnergyStar appliances, LED lighting, solar panels, and more.
When completed, the neighborhood will feature a community barbecue and picnic area, central turf/play areas, a hiking trail along the estuary and a bird watching area. The subdivision’s common areas will be landscaped with a variety of native trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials, ground covers, and vines.
It all comes down to one word — community. It’s a sense of place shared by people with shared connections. The thought of anyone facing hunger should not sit right with anyone, and together we can make sure our friends and neighbors have enough food to restore strength and dignity.
Look for construction to begin in Spring ‘23, with the first phase of homes set to be completed this year.