This $218,000 in-kind renovation enhances safety for both staff and residents while creating a more welcoming and efficient experience.

HIF, alongside corporate champion Greystar and a team of dedicated vendors, successfully completed a multi-phase renovation at the James F. Boccardo Center, managed by HomeFirst.

HomeFirst is a nonprofit organization working passionately to end homelessness. They are the largest shelter in Santa Clara county and the Boccardo Center shelters up to 250 individuals a night. They serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming (prevention, outreach, shelters, and interim and permanent housing programs) and systems leadership – meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs.

This transformative project enhanced the shelter’s environment by installing privacy screens for each bed, repainting the interior, and culminating in a full-scale lobby remodel. The lobby upgrades included a new bathroom, updated flooring, modernized lighting and fixtures, and improved office spaces designed to better accommodate staff and client meetings.

This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our corporate champion, Greystar, and the incredible support of CAMP Facility Services, ProFloors, Severin Group, Advanced Facility Solutions, Allsite Corp, Belden Consulting Engineers, Commercial Fire Protection, ECC Exteriors, Edwin Bruce Associates, Kimchi + Kankel Design Group, Shaw Industries, Sherwin-Williams, T&S Structural, and Varsity Painting!

“This renovation goes beyond simply improving the shelter’s appearance,” said HomeFirst CEO, René Ramirez. “It transforms the space into a welcoming environment that upholds the dignity and humanity of everyone who walks through our doors.”