County Greenlights Funding for Six Affordable Housing Projects
The Board of Supervisors approved $47.4 million for another round of affordable housing developments, with a majority of the funding coming from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond approved by voters in 2016
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. — The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved up to $47.4 million in funding for six affordable housing developments as part of a broad strategy to combat the region’s housing affordability crisis and reduce homelessness. The decision brings the County closer to its goal of creating 4,800 new affordable rental housing units using funds from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond approved by voters in 2016.
The six projects – one in Palo Alto, two in Mountain View, and three in San José – will feature a total of 716 multifamily rental units that will house up to 2,762 people.
Most of the funding – $36.1 million – comes from Measure A. The Board also tapped $7.3 million in funding from No Place Like Home, a state program to build permanent supportive housing for people who need mental health services or who are experiencing homelessness, and $4 million in County affordable housing funds for the intellectually or developmentally disabled.
“The County of Santa Clara is more than delivering on the affordable housing development goals promised with Measure A, thanks to the hard work of County staff and our many partners, including cities, the state, developers and community-based organizations,” said County Executive James R. Williams. “We are committed to addressing the intertwined issues of housing affordability and homelessness in our region to ensure that all residents have the dignity and security of a place to call home and that our community remains vibrant, sustainable, and equitable for decades to come. There is much more work to be done and a real need for the resources to make that happen—but as we come towards the end of allocating Measure A funding, there is significant progress to celebrate as well.”
The County has now allocated $648 million of the funding available through Measure A. The funds allocated so far will create 4,749 housing units, just shy of the County’s goal of 4,800 units. Meanwhile, 1,796 units have already been developed that house approximately 3,480 people.
When all Measure A-funded developments are in operation, the County and its partners will have created new permanent housing opportunities for approximately 17,400 people, with 42% of the units set aside for previously unhoused individuals and family members.
Of the 716 units that will be built following the Board’s action on Tuesday:
- 82 will be permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families with disabilities and special needs
- 115 will be rapid rehousing for people experiencing homelessness
- 499 will be affordable housing for those making 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is $181,300 in Santa Clara County
- 10 will be managers units
The six projects that received funding are:
- El Camino Real Affordable Housing Development – Palo Alto (3001 El Camino Real)
- 129 units
- 1020 Terra Bella Ave. – Mountain View
- 106 units
- 96 West El Camino Family Apartments – Mountain View (96 West El Camino Real)
- 79 units
- Santa Teresa Multifamily – San José (5885 Santa Teresa Blvd.)
- 49 units
- Kooser Apartments – San José (1371 Kooser Road)
- 191 units
- 525 North Capitol Ave. – San José
- 160 units
The El Camino Real Affordable Housing Development is notable in part because it is located in the heart of Palo Alto, at the intersection of Page Mill Road and El Camino Real, with access to jobs, high-quality public schools and public transit. It will include 32 rapid rehousing units, 30 units for households earning up to 30% AMI and 65 units for households earning up to 50% AMI, with two managers units. The development will feature a range of units, including three-bedrooms, accommodating both individuals and large families.
“The El Camino Real Affordable Housing Development will help residents get a foothold in a high-opportunity area in Silicon Valley,” said Consuelo Hernandez, Director of the County’s Office of Supportive Housing. “We are thrilled about this project and the many others that will provide affordable housing for thousands of people. The impact of the 2016 Measure A on this region has been incredible and we must find ways to continue this momentum to keep improving the quality of life for everyone who lives here.”
For more information about Measure A, visit the Office of Supportive Housing’s Measure A webpage.
ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multicultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, Calif., making it more populous than 14 states in the United States. The County provides essential services to its residents, including public health protection, environmental stewardship, medical services through the County of Santa Clara Health System, child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and many other public benefits.
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Media Contact: Quan Vu / Aaron Kinney, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119, [email protected]