Daly City – Under a clear blue sky, local officials today marked the completion of 147 new affordable homes and broke ground on 113 more as part of the largest affordable housing redevelopment in San Mateo County’s history.
The celebration at Midway Village in eastern Daly City included a ribbon-cutting for Midway Village I — which provides affordable homes for families earning up to 30 percent to 80 percent of the area median income — and the ceremonial launch of construction on 113 homes as part of Midway Village 2.
“This is a neighborhood near the Cow Palace that has really struggled for decades but is starting to show new signs of life as the first phase of Midway Village is complete with 147 units now online,” said San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa.
“This is a transformative project that took a very old and outdated affordable housing complex with 150 units to what will be a modern complex that will have more than 500 units for individuals often on the brink of being homeless,” Canepa said.
Developed by the nonprofit MidPen Housing, Midway Village I offers 147 apartments for income-qualifying households, including 27 for local educators and 12 units for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
“I am no stranger to financial burdens and homelessness,” said Nathan Smith, a 22-year-old who aged out of the foster care system and spoke during today’s celebration.
“When I first got that key, when I first signed that lease, it felt so surreal. I could not describe that feeling I had when I realized I had that this was my chance, this was my place to be.”
Without the burden of crushing rent, Smith is enrolled in the pre-nursing program at the College of San Mateo. “I have had the wonderful honor to be able to live here,” Smith said. “I have a balcony. It’s lovely.”
Each unit features modern amenities, including a full kitchen with electric stove, in-unit washer and dryer, and access to shared facilities such as a community room, learning center with outdoor play space, secure bicycle storage and art in common areas.
The project is part of a four-phase redevelopment effort that will transform 150 aging units into 555 modern apartments on the same site, owned by the San Mateo County Housing Authority. The design was shaped through community engagement and prioritizes relocation opportunities for current residents.
“Our Housing Authority has a track record of making significant contributions to affordable housing development across the county,” said Housing Authority Executive Director Debbie McIntyre. “From dedicating this property for new affordable homes, to providing project-based vouchers and capital, the Housing Authority partners closely with the County to create places like this where diverse communities can thrive.”
When complete in 2027, Midway Village 2 will provide 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units to address the critical need for affordable family housing. Twenty-nine homes will be targeted for individuals with supportive housing needs, provided through the Housing for a Healthy California program.
“Today’s two-part celebration demonstrates how the public and private sectors can team up to address our region’s affordable housing crisis and ensure that San Mateo County is a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “We applaud our County, state and city leaders and all of our partners for their commitment to producing and preserving affordable homes at scale.”
In addition to resident amenities similar to those in Midway Village I, this second phase will also feature a 15,000-square-foot child care center where Peninsula Family Service will serve 109 children, including children from low-income families in the broader community.
Residents of the original housing will have the opportunity to move into the new homes as each phase is completed.
Financial contributions from the County of San Mateo for Midway Village 2 include:
- A $14 million loan commitment from the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo.
- An $8 million loan from the County of San Mateo sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act.
- A $6.3 million loan from proceeds of a state award to the County under the Housing for a Healthy California Act.
- A commitment of 76 project-based vouchers for Midway Village 2, which will keep rents affordable for low-income individuals and families.
In addition, financing was provided by Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac, the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, the California Municipal Finance Authority, and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. Financing for Phase 2 is also being provided by the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority; the California Department of Housing and Community Development: Permanent Local Housing Allocation loan through the City of Daly City, and Housing for a Healthy California loan through the County of San Mateo; the Federal Home Loan Bank; Peninsula Family Service; and the County of San Mateo Measure K Grant. The architect is David Baker Architects and the general contractor is Devcon Construction, Inc.