201 Affordable Housing Units Coming To Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Clara Board of Supervisors this week approved more than $31 million to help fund new affordable housing projects planned in San Jose, Mountain View and Santa Clara.

The three developments are funded by revenue from the voter-approved Measure A, which has helped complete more than 1,450 affordable housing units since 2016. The latest will add 197 apartments and four "for-sale housing units."

"The county continues to deliver with the Measure A Affordable Housing Bond," said Susan Ellenberg, the board's president. "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."

The Mountain View project, located at 1265 Montecito Avenue, will feature 42 "rapid rehousing" units set aside for people experiencing homelessness and families with special needs. Another 42 units will be available for households earning up to 50 percent of the area median income (AMI). Apartment sizes range from studios to three bedrooms.

In Santa Clara, the Civic Center Multifamily Affordable Housing Development will house 27 rapid rehousing units, 26 units for households earning 30 percent of the AMI, and 53 units for households earning 50 percent of the AMI.

At 4th and Reed in San Jose, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley will renovate an existing apartment building to offer four two-bedroom homes. Two units will be reserved for households earning up to 50 percent of the AMI, and the other two will be available for protective homeowners earning up to 80 percent of the AMI.

The three projects combined carry a $199 million price tag, which will be covered by multiple funding sources and $76 million in federal tax credits. The Montecito and Civic Center projects will be all-electric buildings with solar panels and vehicle charging stations.

According to the county, officials have committed funds for 4,200 affordable housing units in the coming years — close to 90 percent toward its goal.