On December 18th, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of allocating $123,150,000 in funding commitments from the 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond to support nine housing developments. These developments include new construction of six and rehabilitation of three existing apartment buildings. Together, the proposed developments would provide 687 additional apartment homes for Santa Clara County residents who need them most.
Housing Bond funding for these developments keeps the County on track to meet the goals of the Community Plan to End Homelessness by creating 457 new homes with supportive services. Significantly, proposed developments also will help our community prevent homelessness by building 230 new homes affordable for working families with very low (VLI) and extremely low incomes (ELI).
Including previous funding commitments (for 489 apartments with supportive services and 240 homes affordable for VLI and ELI households) and the homes approved on December 18th, Housing Bond implementation is ahead of schedule, having approved 30 percent of the 4,800 unit goal after only 20 percent of the 10-year timeline. SV@Home is thankful for the ongoing commitment of the Board of Supervisors, County staff, and the voters of Santa Clara County to leverage Housing Bond funds to end homelessness and address our affordable housing crisis.
SV@Home was proud to stand with our partner Destination: Home in support of this funding commitment and looks forward to continuing to partner with the County on implementing Measure A. This funding approval is only one step (though an incredibly important one!) in the development of these much-needed affordable homes. Many of these developments still have to clear significant community engagement processes and Council votes before they can begin construction.
Interested in getting engaged to support these developments in your community? Stay tuned to SV@Home’s advocacy page and also check out Housing Ready Communities, a grassroots initiative bringing together neighbors, community groups, nonprofits, government and housing developers to take action and support approval of new supportive housing and extremely low income affordable housing in Santa Clara County