On September 12th, the Santa Clara City Council voted unanimously to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with Freebird Development Company to build a 65-unit, mixed income development that includes 13 homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, a historically underserved population in the housing market.
The project epitomizes the idea of Housing for All by responding to the diverse housing needs of people of all incomes and abilities who live and work in Santa Clara. Units will be available to households with incomes ranging from 30% Area Median Income to 120% AMI.
The meeting was remarkable for the unanimous support the project received during public comment. Many members of the developmental disabilities advocacy community showed up to support the development, including a developmentally disabled speaker, teachers and parents of the developmentally disabled, and representatives from Housing Choices and the San Andreas Regional Center.
Although the Council took positive action, the development is not approved yet! The development will return to the Santa Clara Planning Commission and City Council for further action, most likely next year. SV@Home will track the project’s progress, and will post updates as they become available.