LA Harbor News

Redwood City – The state has awarded $42.8 million to spur development of three local affordable housing projects, including coastal apartments reserved for farmworkers and their families.

The funds will go to helping build a total of 212 units for residents with low incomes in projects in Daly City, Burlingame and Moss Beach, where 18 new apartments will be dedicated for farmworkers.

The state funding builds on the County’s financial pledge to each project. Boosting the county’s supply of affordable housing – through development as well as preservation and protection – is a prime goal set by the Board of Supervisors.

“We simply must have more affordable housing for everyone in our region to prosper,” said Dave Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

“Without local affordable housing, there is a ripple effect that hurts not just the economy but our communities. People must commute from farther distances for work, costing them both time and money. And that means less time people can spend with their families, getting involved in schools and volunteer groups, and being active members of their community,” Pine said.

The following projects, all proposed by affordable housing developers, received grants from the California Housing and Community Development Department through a competitive process:

Cypress Point: Moss Beach
This 71-unit project proposed by MidPen Housing Corp. on 10.8 acres in Moss Beach received $17.8 million from the state. 

Apartments will be rented to households that earn less than 80 percent of the area median income (currently $124,000 for a family of four) – with 18 specifically reserved for local farmworkers and their families.

“The state funding is a critical milestone in developing this much-needed housing for farmworkers and families,” said Matthew O. Franklin, president and CEO of MidPen Housing. “We look forward to working closely with our County partners to complete the entitlements process and build 71 new affordable homes.”

In addition to the state funding, the County has pledged $5.5 million to assist development in a combination of federal grants and local Measure K sales tax funds.

493 Eastmoor: Daly City
CORE Affordable Housing received $3 million in state funding to assist development of 72 apartments for individuals and families with low incomes in an area served by transit near the Colma BART station. The County has pledged $9.5 million to assist development in a combination of Measure K  and Mental Health Services Act funds. 

Eucalyptus Grove: Burlingame
This 69-unit complex proposed by Allied Housing Inc. at 1875 California Drive near the Millbrae border received $22 million from the state. The project, which has also received a pledge of $5.7 million in Measure K funds, would provide much-needed housing to individuals and families with low incomes. 

While all three remain in the planning stage, local officials expect the state’s financial commitment will help the developers secure additional financing.

The state selected the three local projects under a new process that aims to accelerate approval and save time and money. In making the announcement, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the new process is “to ensure projects are not stalled in an endless bureaucracy that favored process over production.”

Media Contact

Michelle DurandChief Communications Officermdurand@smcgov.org

Original source can be found here.