Peninsula Low-income Housing Complex Going Up On El Camino Real

PALO ALTO, CA -- Peninsula dignitaries gathered Thursday for a groundbreaking of a low-income residential rental community to be developed in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood.

San Mateo County Board Supervisor Warren Slocum, North Fair Oaks Community Council Member Blair Whitney and other local leaders were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking of 2821 ECR Apartments, an affordable residential rental community being developed by Palo Alto Housing in San Mateo County.

Plans call for 67 studio and one-bedroom apartments serving low-income families, veterans and individuals with special needs earning up to 70 percent of the San Mateo County Area median income. 2821 ECR Apartments was designed by the architecture firm Dahlin Group Inc. L&D Construction is the general contractor.

“We are excited to commence construction on this beautiful, new residential community that will bring hope and an enhanced quality of life to many special members of our community. We are grateful to our partners and San Mateo County officials who are enabling us to add much-needed affordable housing to the Bay Area,” Palo Alto Housing's Chief Executive Officer Randy Tsuda said.

The centrally-located apartment complex is situated within walking distance of grocery, pharmacy, restaurants and public transit at 2821 El Camino Real in Redwood City. ECR features a water-consciously landscaped open area, a barbecue grill, community kitchen, computer lab, and a picnic area that will support a variety of activities for residents, complete with gathering spaces and areas for fitness and communal meals.

There's on-site parking, with 50 spaces and accessibility by an elevator and garage entry on El Camino Real. It includes guest parking, two accessible spaces, and three electric vehicle charging stations. To encourage the use of sustainable means of transportation, enclosed bicycle parking and repair station will be provided for residents. In addition to the 45 resident bicycle parking spaces, four outdoor parking spaces will be provided for guest riders.

Green building design will be incorporated, making it sustainable over the long haul and structurally sound.

San Mateo County provided the financing for the $42 million development through voter-approved Measure K, in addition to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and California Community Reinvestment Corporation. Acquisition funding was provided by Housing Endowment and Regional Trust of San Mateo County.

“I’m thrilled to support Palo Alto Housing on this exciting opportunity to provide affordable housing to families and veterans that will improve their overall quality of life right here in North Fair Oaks,” said Supervisor Slocum. “We are stronger as a county when we recognize what affects one of us affects us all. We look forward to continuing to support organizations who strive to make San Mateo County a place everyone can call home.”

On-site services for all residents will include a full-time service coordinator to organize job readiness programs, educational assistance, financial planning courses and counseling services. Services will be designed to ensure housing stability, promote health and wellness and encourage social integration.

Palo Alto Housing has a significant pipeline of new development projects with more than 400 new residential units in various stages of planning and development throughout the San Francisco Bay Area including Eagle Park Apartments, a 67-unit affordable apartment community nearing completion in Mountain View. This development will house low-income veterans and households earning up to 60 percent of the Santa Clara County Area median income.

More information about 2821 ECR Apartments may be obtained by calling 650-321-9709 or visiting pah.community.