“Now, more than ever, people need a safe, affordable place they can call home,” said Warren Slocum, President of the Board of Supervisors. “Rent is the single biggest expense for most people. Families that have a stable, affordable rent can then spend more on nutritious food and other essential needs.”
The Department of Housing recommends infusing $33,666,437 to build a total of 1,060 units in nine affordable housing projects. The projects range in size from a Habitat for Humanity plan to build six affordable homes in Daly City to MidPen Housing’s proposal to build 223 affordable apartments in downtown San Mateo.
Additional projects are located in East Palo Alto, San Mateo, Millbrae, Menlo Park, Daly City and the unincorporated North Fair Oaks neighborhood.
Funding sources include approximately $21 million from the half-cent Measure K sales tax extension, $7 million in state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Housing for a Healthy California funds; approximately $5 million in HCD Local Housing Trust Fund funds, pending a successful HCD application; approximately $544,000 in HCD Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds; and $150,000 in County Impact Fees.
Commitment to Affordable Housing
The Board of Supervisors in 2013 created the Affordable Housing Fund by committing approximately $13 million toward building, protecting and preserving housing that is affordable to a wide range of incomes.
To date, the Affordable Housing Fund has allocated approximately $120.3 million to assist 2,818 units in San Mateo County-supporting the development of 2,403 new affordable rental and homeownership units, and the preservation of 415 multifamily rental units as affordable housing.
If the staff recommendation is approved by the Board, the County will have invested more than $150 million in affordable housing since 2013.
“What’s important to note is that the County’s commitment helps to secure funding from other sources, including not-for-profit housing developers and private investors,” said Ray Hodges, director of the County’s Department of Housing. “These projects also help the local economy by creating construction jobs and jobs that will serve the needs of the residents. It’s a huge win for the entire community.”
The projects under consideration for funding at Tuesday’s meeting are:
| Project Name/Applicant | Location and Number of Units | Staff Funding Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks Street – MidPen Housing | East Palo Alto – 135 units | $3,908,333 |
| Midway Village Phase 1 – MidPen Housing | Daly City – 145 units | $436,000 |
| 493 Eastmoor – CORE | Daly City – 71 units | $7,379,600 |
| Downtown San Mateo Sites – Midpen Housing | San Mateo – 223 units | $3,685,817 |
| Bayshore Affordable Apartments – CORE | Millbrae – 79 units | $1,000,000 |
| Middlefield Junction – Mercy Housing | North Fair Oaks – 178 units | $11,755,452 |
| Gateway Family Housing – MidPen Housing | Menlo Park – 139 units | $5,115,235 |
| North Fair Oaks Apartments –Affirmed Housing | North Fair Oaks – 84 units | $250,000 |
| Geneva Commons – Habitat for Humanity | Daly City – 6 units | $136,000 |
| Totals | 1,060 units | $33,666,437 |
Individuals and families earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income for San Mateo County - and up to 120% AMI for homeownership units - will be qualified to live in these affordable homes.
Public Participation
View the agenda at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
The September 15, 2020 Board of Supervisors meeting may be accessed through Zoom online at https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/98060911158
The meeting ID is: 980 6091 1158.
The September 15, 2020 Board of Supervisors meeting may also be accessed via telephone by dialing +1-669-900-6833 (Local). Enter the meeting ID: 980 6091 1158, then press #. (Find your local number: https://smcgov.zoom.us/u/admSDqceDg)
*Written public comments may be emailed to boardfeedback@smcgov.org, and should include the specific agenda item on which you are commenting.
*Spoken public comments will also be accepted during the meeting through Zoom. If you only wish to watch the meeting and do not wish to address the Board, the Clerk requests that you view the meeting through Legistar.