Golden Inn & Village senior housing in Santa Ynez earns two awards of excellence

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The Golden Inn & Village affordable housing development for senior citizens, located in Santa Ynez, received two national awards of excellence Oct. 29, a spokeswoman for the project said.

Golden Inn & Village was recognized in the categories of Overall Affordable Housing Project and Project Design by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, a housing and community development advocacy organization.

The awards were presented by NAHRO President Stephen Merritt and CEO Adrianne Todman at the organization’s annual conference in Pittsburgh.

“This national recognition validates that the GIV can be a prototype for affordable housing and wellness programs for seniors in cities across the country,” said Rona Barrett, founder and chief executive officer of the Rona Barrett Foundation. “The GIV isn’t just a roof over these residents’ heads; it provides a wealth of life-enriching programs and services as well.”

Barrett’s advocacy for seniors in need led to the concept of the Golden Inn & Village, a collaboration of the foundation and the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County.

“From the happy looks on the very first residents’ faces, we knew the GIV was going to be a special place when its doors opened in December 2016,” said Bob Havlicek, executive director of the Housing Authority.

“To receive these national honors is a true testament that solutions can be activated to address critical needs of our vulnerable and valuable elderly citizens,” he added.

Rona Barrett Foundation, based in Santa Ynez, focuses on providing affordable housing solutions and wellness programs for low-income seniors.

Santa Barbara County Housing Authority, located in Lompoc, is a member of NAHRO, which advocates for adequate and affordable housing and viable communities, particularly those with low and moderate incomes

NAHRO’s nearly 17,000 members represent agencies across the country that administer such HUD programs such as Public Housing Assistance, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnerships.