California Construction News staff writer
The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors has approved $28.7 million for four new multifamily affordable housing projects and one affordable homeownership development in San Jose.
The board’s decision brings the total County funding for the five projects to $48.2 million, with $38.7 million coming from Measure A, the $950 million affordable housing bond approved by county voters in 2016.
Two of the projects will be built on land owned by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) as part of a partnership between the County and the transportation agency to construct transit-oriented affordable housing on VTA-owned sites.
“Thanks to Measure A, the County has been making and continues to make a difference to address the region’s need for housing,” said Board President Otto Lee. “More than 6,000 people who were unhoused or at risk of homelessness now have the safety and dignity of a home.
“In coming years, the County will provide that same opportunity for 11,000 more people, including seniors, families and children thanks to voters’ approval of Measure A.”
To directly address community need and a growing market gap, the County has made a concerted effort to align public resources like Measure A, Santa Clara County Housing Authority vouchers, San Jose’s Measure E, and private funds from partners such as Cisco and Apple to build thousands of units of permanent supportive and affordable housing in Santa Clara County.
“As housing costs continue to rise in San Jose and throughout our region, the need for more affordable housing becomes clearer and more urgent by the day,” said County Executive James R. Williams. “Thanks to the leadership of our Board of Supervisors, the County has been a proactive partner, investing millions of dollars directly into the city of San Jose and in 10 other cities across the county to build more affordable housing units for low-income families and seniors.
“Unless cities significantly expand our housing supply, we will never be able to combat housing insecurity and unaffordability in our community.”
The four multifamily projects – VTA Berryessa Station, VTA Capitol Station, East Santa Clara Senior Apartments and East Santa Clara Family Apartments – will include 238 units for people with low incomes, 191 units for people with very low incomes, and 120 units of permanent supportive housing for previously unhoused seniors and families.
“The County is thrilled to partner with the Valley Transportation Authority on the Berryessa and Capitol Station projects that demonstrate the importance of what we can achieve together when we align our efforts,” said Deputy County Executive Consuelo Hernandez. “All told, the projects approved today reflect the ongoing success of Measure A and the transformative impact this infusion of resources has had on the thousands of people housed across the county because of it.”
