With housing a top need for San Mateo County residents, Board of Supervisors Chairman Warren Slocum and local dignitaries celebrated the groundbreaking of an apartment complex last week that seeks to address that challenge.
Colibri Commons, at 965 Weeks St. in East Palo Alto, includes 136 new apartments that will serve a wide range of community housing needs, with floor plans up to four bedrooms.
Rents will be below market rates for all units in a development led by EPACANDO and MidPen Housing, two local nonprofit housing developers, according to the report.
“These larger apartments offered at affordable prices address a priority for the county and will help us stem the exodus of working families,” Slocum said.
The rentals will be targeted at people earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income, which is currently around $39,000 for a single-person household up to about $147,180 depending on family size. Qualified tenants will expect to pay up to 30 percent of their gross monthly income on rent.
The complex will be built on city-owned Weeks Street, not far from University Avenue and Bay Road. The project is funded in part by a combination of private, local, state and federal sources that includes a $13 million loan from the county’s Measure K local sales tax and an additional $10 million in financing guaranteed by the county’s Housing Department.
The complex is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.
“Colibri Commons illustrates the power of vision, perseverance and community collaboration,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “Reaching today’s milestone took many years, collective will and a near-record number of funders. We applaud San Mateo County leaders for their incredible commitment to affordable housing and are excited to work with all partners to bring new homes and opportunities to East Palo Alto.”
More than just a roof, resident services at Colibri Commons will include after-school and summer youth programs, health and wellness programs, and, for tenants with functional needs, assistance with maintaining independence, among other amenities.
“Colibri Commons represents our best work, but our work is far from over,” Slocum said. “Let’s leverage these strong partnerships and creative financing strategies to create many more affordable housing opportunities for people in communities across San Mateo County.”
While applications are not yet being accepted from tenants, anyone interested in knowing when applications will be accepted can complete an online form.
Colibri Commons will feature 136 apartments, 8 studios, 19 one-bedroom apartments, 75 two-bedroom apartments, 27 three-bedroom apartments, and 7 four-bedroom apartments.
Additionally, it will have 222 parking spaces, and offer services such as job preparation, exercise and nutrition classes, case management, and adult education services.
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