Construction Begins on Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Project in San José
Tamien Station, named after the intermodal hub next door, will feature 555 rental housing units, of which 135 will be affordable
Two of the most important things for ensuring the vibrancy and sustainability of Santa Clara County are building affordable housing and encouraging more people to use public transit.
On Tuesday, developers broke ground on the first phase of an ambitious new housing project in San José that will help the county achieve both those goals.
Tamien Station, named after the intermodal hub next door, will feature 555 housing units, of which 135 will be affordable, including 67 that will be designated for rapid rehousing. Residents will have convenient access to Caltrain and VTA light rail service.
Funding for the project includes $25 million from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond approved by county voters in 2016.
“Tamien Station is one of several unique transit-oriented development partnerships between the County and the Valley Transportation Authority that include using public land for housing,” said Consuelo Hernandez, director of the County’s Office of Supportive Housing. “This project shows we are delivering on our commitment to the community to build more affordable and supportive housing. We are seven years into the implementation of the Measure A Affordable Housing Bond and on track to fund the construction of 4,800 units by 2026.
The Core Companies is developing the project in collaboration with Republic Urban Properties and VTA, which provided the land. The developers will build the $128 million affordable housing component of the project first.
Building affordable housing is the key to easing the region’s housing affordability crisis, addressing homelessness, and helping working families achieve financial stability and security.
The affordable apartments at Tamien Station will be designated for people making between 30% and 60% of the area median income, which is $181,300 in Santa Clara County. Of the 135 affordable units, nearly half will be rapid rehousing units for people experiencing homelessness.
The proximity of the project to public transit will encourage residents to use Caltrain or VTA, which is part of a broader climate strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
Tamien Station is also sustainable in its design. It is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Business Council.
The project will set aside 3,000 square feet for a daycare center, which will provide convenient childcare to residents. Access to affordable childcare is a common problem for Santa Clara County families. Recognizing this problem, the County has launched several programs with community partners to improve and expand childcare and early education.
Construction of affordable housing at Tamien Station is expected to wrap up by 2025.
For more information on the Tamien Station development, visit the project website. The Office of Supportive Housing has a webpage where residents can learn more about the Measure A Affordable Housing Bond.