Congratulations to HIP Housing Self-Sufficiency Graduates!

Tonight I had the pleasure of celebrating with 32 of our neighbors who graduated from the HIP Housing Self-Sufficiency Program.

HIP ("Human Investment Project") Housing is a local non-profit in San Mateo County dedicated to helping people live independent, self-sufficient lives in decent, safe, low-cost homes.  HIP's Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP) provides housing assistance and support services to low-income families with clearly defined career and educational goals and motivation to become financially self-reliant within 12-24 months.


The 32 individuals who graduated from the program tonight all graduated having obtained additional schooling, degrees, or job training.  All of them are now in better housing conditions, and in positions to be more self-sufficient in providing for themselves and their families. 

HIP Housing is one of many non-profit agencies that serve as a vital safety net for those in our community who need a helping hand including the homeless, senior citizens, and children.  As a City Councilmember for San Mateo, I am proud of the support our City gives to these non-profits, which includes a yearly allocation of over $500,000 in federal grants specifically designed to allow local governments to aid those most in need.


This coming Monday, the City Council will review San Mateo's five-year Consolidated Plan and yearly Action Plan which will help our community address our long-term housing and community needs.  To review the Consolidated Plan and Action plan, click here.


Congratulations again to the graduates of the Self-Sufficiency Program, and thank you again to HIP Housing and all our non-profits in San Mateo!

Coming Soon to Downtown San Mateo

Summers in Downtown San Mateo just got a bit more fun . . .

Thanks to the Downtown San Mateo Association and merchants for making this happen.  Yet another reason San Mateo is a great community!

Downtown San Mateo: Property and Business Improvement District

At last night's City Council meeting, the San Mateo City Council heard a comprehensive plan presented by outside consultants working with the Downtown San Mateo Association to create a Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) in Downtown San Mateo.

The creation of a PBID in Downtown San Mateo will help address continued improvements to our downtown to address parking, security, and growth to allow our downtown to grow in vibrant and exciting ways for years to come.

I was very impressed with the concept presented to the City Council last night.  The Downtown San Mateo Association did a great job of engaging the community and getting feedback from all concerned.  Their efforts were a model of transparency and open communication that we can all learn from.

To learn more about the Downtown San Mateo Association, click here.  Better yet, become a fan on Facebook by clicking here.

San Mateo Eggstravaganza

This morning I attended San Mateo's "Eggstravaganza" in Central Park along with hundreds, if not thousands, of other San Mateo and Bay Area residents.  Along with an Easter Egg hunt with my daughter, we also enjoyed arts and crafts, a pancake breakfast by the San Mateo Sunrise Rotary Club, and a puppet show.

Below are some photos from the event.  Thanks to all the volunteers and City staff in the Parks and Recreation Department and the Youth Services Commission for making this a great event!

Enjoying the Eggstravaganza in San Mateo's Central Park with my daughter Katherine!

Easter basket making.  One of many many arts and crafts tables.

Lining up for the Easter Egg hunt!

Thanks to the Parks and Recreation staff & volunteers for a great event!