Community celebrates completion of Buena Tierra housing project in Goleta

GOLETA, Calif. – For years, Michelle Sanchez has been living on the streets.

But all that changed when she moved into a unit at Buena Tierra in Goleta.

"And I’m going to cry … I’ve been blessed I’m very grateful very grateful. Very grateful. I believe they care about the homeless," said Sanchez.

The community gathered Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of this supportive housing development on Hollister Avenue.

"And we need to be looking out for each other as human beings and people experiencing homelessness don’t let human. they all have stories we all could be there," said Director of housing development John Polanskey of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara.

"It gives people who need to turn their lives around a place to call home of their own. it makes all the difference to have that kind of stability," said supervisor Joan Hartmann of Santa Barbara County Third District.

Formerly the Super 8 Hotel, Buena Tierra is designed for homeless and chronically homeless individuals and an opportunity for those in need.

"This is really a community effort coming together government nonprofit citizens all of these folks care so much about our neighbors," said county supervisor Laura Capps of Santa Barbara.

"The people that live here are resilient, and the residents are really coming together and community and it’s been a real joy to see it get to this point," said director of resident and supportive services Stacey Murphy of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara.

Buena Tierra has a total of 60 units fully furnished with a kitchen.

"We have been fully occupied for about two months and just have a really good community," said Polanskey.

As for Sanchez, after years of hardship, she's finally somewhere she can call home.

"It’s going great ... I’ve learned how to adapt to being back indoors," said Sanchez.

15 units are designated for youth transitioning out of foster care.

It has taken months to convert the former Super 8 Motel into supportive housing.

The project was set to be completed in fall of 2023 but was delayed due to soil contamination.

Much of the project's cost was awarded through the State of California Homekey 2.0 Program. The project is in partnership with The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, the County of Santa Barbara, and the City of Goleta.

Buena Tierra is located at 6021 Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta.

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