How do we make SB 79 work?

SB 79 could lower household costs, expand access to transit, and reduce car dependence. What will it take to make it work?

Join us for an expert-led conversation with Aaron Eckhouse of California YIMBY and Alison Cingolani of SV@Home.

When: Wednesday, February 25th from 12PM-1PM

Where: Virtually

Register Now
February 12, 2026

295 South Mathilda Advances in Sunnyvale

Share:

Affordable housing advances in Sunnyvale! We’re deeply grateful for Sunnyvale’s continued leadership in advancing inclusive, sustainable housing solutions, and for MidPen’s strong, solutions-oriented partnership in advancing the development of these homes.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Sunnyvale City Council unanimously advanced MidPen’s 100% affordable housing community at 295 South Mathilda! We are deeply grateful for Sunnyvale’s continued leadership in advancing inclusive, sustainable housing solutions, and for MidPen’s strong, solutions-oriented partnership in bringing this important project forward.

Council considered 4 options of various heights and unit configurations. The SV@Home-endorsed proposal that advanced (Proposal C) is a thoughtful compromise, responsive to both Council and neighborhood feedback on project height, unit sizes, and parking. The 110-unit development will include a mix of studios and family-sized homes, serving individuals, seniors, couples, and families with incomes between 30% and 80% of the area median, an equity-focused approach that maximizes public benefit. The development directly supports the City’s Council Policy on affordable housing, adopted Housing Element Programs, and Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) progress, while advancing the City’s efforts to grow equitably within high opportunity, transit accessible neighborhoods.

Sunnyvale, like most vibrant Bay Area communities with great transit, jobs, and schools, has a large RHNA that includes almost 2,700 homes affordable to households with low and very low incomes. The Housing Mitigation Fund, the City’s primary source of money to support affordable housing development, is a critical source of funding to help projects close the gap to feasibility. Every dollar is needed for homes for people, not parking stalls, as one of the proposed development options not chosen included a costly underground parking garage. The 295 South Mathilda development provides strong stewardship of the City’s Housing Mitigation Funds, ensuring they are used for their intended purpose of enabling the City to support as many affordable homes as possible. 

295 South Mathilda is a model of responsible, mission driven development and demonstrates how cities can leverage public land, local planning, and nonprofit partnership to produce the housing we so urgently need. MidPen has taken care to listen and engage with neighbors through an open house, outreach meetings, and tours of similar properties, and has made adjustments to the project design to respond to community concern and Council priorities. 

This site is in the Downtown Specific Plan, in an area specifically designated for high-density housing to act as a transition between the commercial core and surrounding neighborhoods. It will enhance downtown’s economic and community vitality while creating long-term affordability and stability for low income households.