Toscana Apartment Community officially opens in Fontana

In 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall in the United States, killing 112 people and causing about $37.5 billion in damages. The storm destroyed the Louisiana coastline and caused flooding along the Mississippi River.  Ike also caused trouble in the state of Texas, forcing people to evacuate and move out, never to return.Among them was Erika Negrete, 31, who managed to escape along with her family.  She came to California and has been thankful to be able to stay with her in-laws in Fontana ever since.  However, Negrete, her husband, and three children were frustrated because of a lack of privacy.

But all that changed last month, when she moved to a brand new three-bedroom apartment unit located at the Toscana Apartment Community in Fontana.

"Now I feel free to do whatever," said Negrete.  "It feels so good to have your own place.  It gives you a sense of dignity and pride."

A total of 53 families were chosen out of 800 applicants to live in the new complex, which is located on Sierra Avenue, south of Miller Avenue.

Built by Palms Communities in partnership with the City of Fontana, the complex features 34 two-bedroom units and 18 three-bedroom units, along with a three-bedroom manager unit located on the second floor of the 3,051-square-foot community building.

The gated community offers a computer/library area, gymnasium, flex room, snack room, and after school programs for students who live in the complex.   The complex also offers amenities for residents of all ages, including a tot lot, basketball area, pool with large lounge area, Aqua Park for tots, workout stations throughout the complex, a walking path and a barbeque picnic area.

The complex features water and energy saving systems and non-toxic building materials and is designed to exceed LEED Silver energy efficiency standards, said Danavon Horn, CEO of Palm Communities.  

"The need for affordable housing is great in the region; that is why we are in the process of designing another project called Siena Apartments just in back of this complex.  That complex will have 60 more units for qualifying families," said Horn.  "We are excited to be here in Fontana and we are looking forward to grow together."

Because the complex works with state programs, rent for each family varies according to income, said Elizabeth Torres, manager at Toscana Apartments.  Torres said the most a family will pay for a three-bedroom unit is $880 per month.

The project was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011, but due to the city's redevelopment funds being taken by the state it had to be postponed, said City Councilmember Lydia Wibert, the chairperson of the Housing Authority.

In fact, Mitch Slagerman, vice president of project development of Palm Communities, urged residents to support the California Homes and Jobs Act of 2013 (SB 391). He said that if approved, SB 391 would help build safe and affordable single-family homes and apartments for Californians in need, including families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness.  SB 391 would offer secure and safe homes for Californians, helping them avoid ending up on the streets, proponents said.

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s hearing on the issue was scheduled for May 13.