Housing advocates, city leaders and elected officials gathered May 8 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Evan Circle, a new 13-home affordable housing development in Watsonville.
The project by Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is intended to help the city meet affordable housing goals.
Keynote speaker Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren stressed the importance of investing in affordable housing and creating long-term stability and opportunity for working families.
“We need to work together to make change for our future, especially when it comes to housing,” Lofgren said. “Nationwide, we’ve got a shortage of about 4.7 million homes and the rate of housing construction is going down, not up, in California. So that has to change.” She urged the federal government, among other things, to provide financing for projects like Evan Circle.
A highlight of the event was when the Fiorvich family—whose son Evan inspired the names Evan Circle and Evan Court—were introduced.
“Most of my life I drove by this place because my family’s office is just down the street and now I am really honored that someone is using this lot and I can’t think of a better purpose than a project by Housing for Humanity,” Evan Fiorvich told the crowd.
Marty and Jon Fiorvich run Fiorvich Architecture and Construction.
Catherine Stihler, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, said, “As we celebrate 50 years of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, projects like Evan Circle remind us what is possible when a community comes together with a shared vision.”
The groundbreaking of Evan Circle reflects Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay’s 50th anniversary theme, “Opening Doors, Framing Futures,” Stihler said.
