The Board of Supervisors has greenlit funding for 197 apartments and four for-sale housing units from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond approved by county voters in 2016
The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved $31.1 million in funding for three projects that will create a total of 201 affordable housing units in Mountain View, San José and Santa Clara.
The projects are the latest to receive funding from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond, which was approved by county voters in 2016. The County has now committed $838 million of those funds to the creation of affordable housing and more than 1,450 units are already in operation.
The new developments approved on Tuesday include:
- 1265 Montecito Ave. in Mountain View (85 rental units)
- Civic Center Multifamily Affordable Housing Development in Santa Clara (108 rental units)
- 4th and Reed in San José (four for-sale units)
“The County continues to deliver with the Measure A Affordable Housing Bond,” said Supervisor and Board President Susan Ellenberg. “Building permanent, safe and secure housing is expensive in this region, takes time, and doesn’t provide quick political wins, but it’s the only sustainable way to end homelessness in Santa Clara County and improve the quality of life for all residents.”
Now in the seventh year of implementing the affordable housing bond, the County and its community partners have made significant progress in funding projects for the county’s most vulnerable residents:
- The County has already surpassed its goals of creating 600 rental units of housing for very low-income individuals and families, and 800 rental units of housing for extremely low-income individuals and families.
- It is 95% of the way toward its goal of funding 1,800 units of permanent supportive housing for people with disabling conditions and their families.
Overall, the County has committed funding toward more than 4,200 affordable rental housing units, nearly 90% of the way toward its goal of 4,800 units.
“I am extremely proud of the progress County staff and our partners have made in building truly affordable housing, supporting our most vulnerable residents and doing it quickly,” said District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez, the main architect of Measure A. “We are creating a more sustainable county where everyone can experience the peace and dignity of housing security.”
1265 Montecito Ave. in Mountain View will feature 42 rapid rehousing units for people experiencing homelessness and families with special needs, along with 42 units for households earning up to 50% of the area median income, plus a manager’s unit. The apartments will range from studios to three-bedrooms.
The project will receive up to $18 million in Measure A funds.
Civic Center Multifamily Affordable Housing Development in Santa Clara will receive up to $12.1 in funds from the affordable housing bond. Units will range from studios to three-bedrooms. The development includes:
- 27 rapid rehousing units
- 26 units for households earning up to 30% of the area median income
- 53 units for households earning up to 50% of the area median income
The 4th and Reed project in San José, which will be developed by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, will renovate an existing multifamily apartment building to create four two-bedroom units. Two of the units are designated for households earning up to 50% of the area median income. The other two are meant for households earning up to 80% of the area median income. The homeownership project is slated to receive $1 million in Measure A funds.
“Our Board has now approved 50 Measure A-funded projects. They’re helping residents in Mountain View and throughout the county who are struggling to make ends meet continue to call this place home,” said District 5 Supervisor Joe Simitian. “These investments mean more families and community members have a safe and stable place in our county.”
The total cost of the three projects is $199 million, which includes funding from a variety of sources, including an anticipated $76 million in federal tax credits.
All three projects will follow green design principles. Both 1265 Montecito and Civic Center Multifamily will be all-electric buildings with solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations.
“The housing the County and its partners are creating is sustainable in every way,” said Consuelo Hernandez, Director of the County’s Office of Supportive Housing. “These developments not only will improve the daily lives of residents and ensure our economy remains strong but also embody spirit of environmental sustainability and include the latest green building techniques.”
The developer of the 1265 Montecito and Civic Center Multifamily rental projects is Charities Housing Development Corp. of Santa Clara County, one of the County’s partners in addressing the region’s housing crunch.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the County on these vital developments,” said Kathy Robinson, Director of Development of Charities Housing Development Corp. “Just like the County, we are committed to creating affordable housing that improves our local communities and enhances quality of life.”
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 U.S. 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.