x
Breaking News
More () »

Manteca shelters fill with Bay Area transplants

It's no secret Bay Area workers seek out better housing deals in the Central Valley.   For people struggling with Bay Area prices, valley shelters are a good option as well.

It's no secret Bay Area workers seek out better housing deals in the Central Valley. For people struggling with Bay Area prices, Central Valley shelters are a good option as well.

HOPE Ministries in Manteca has three shelters serving up to 75 people at any one time. A larger number of Bay Area residents are taking advantage of that space.

"They're just struggling to pay rent and keep a job. We see families from the Bay, and they're completely priced out; they have no opportunity," HOPE Ministries Executive Director Cecily Ballungay said.

Priscilla and her husband are among the latest to take advantage of HOPE. Unable to afford a rent increase in East Oakland, they learned of the Manteca family shelter and came over the hills.

"Just trying to pay bills, the rent for a one bedroom apartment was $1,200. Every month we struggled to get by," said Priscilla, who is expected to give birth to her first child in a few days.

Though Manteca has a homeless problem, and most of the shelter space is taken by local clients, Ballungay said it's part of their mission to help outsiders as well.

"We absolutely don't turn anyone away. We're a faith-based non-profit. Our hearts are broken and we want to serve," she said.

HOPE puts a time limit on the length of stays. Typical stays are 30 or 60 days, while clients find new work in the valley.

Before You Leave, Check This Out