EAST PALO ALTO, CA, May 22, 2026—Community partners and public- and private-sector stakeholders came together this week to celebrate the Grand Opening of Colibri Commons, a co-development of EPACANDO and MidPen Housing.
Located at 965 Weeks Street, Colibri Commons delivers 136 new apartment homes for individuals and families, with rents affordable to people earning between 30% and 60% of Area Median Income (currently $40,620 – $116,040 depending on household size).
“Today is more than the celebratory opening of an apartment complex,” said resident Fatai Heimuli. “Today represents hope, opportunity, and stability amidst an ever-changing landscape. I’m grateful that developments like Colibri Commons make it possible for more people like me to stay and continue contributing to the future of this city.”
The apartments range from studios up to four bedrooms, and amenities include a community room with a kitchen, outdoor play areas, elevators, and an after-school learning center for resident children.
MidPen Property Management professionally manages the community, and MidPen Resident Services provides free, onsite services such as employment preparation, exercise and nutrition classes, adult education, and after-school programming for youth.
“I grew up in East Palo Alto and have raised my family in the same home where I lived,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier. “I know the challenge facing people in finding their own homes. I am extremely proud of Colibri Commons and the County’s dedicated involvement in this affordable housing project.”
“Colibri Commons illustrates the power of community vision and collaboration” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “It took perseverance, collective will, and eleven (!) funding sources to transform a long-vacant lot into 136 new homes along with significant transportation enhancements. We applaud EPACANDO, a village of partners, and the City, County, and State leaders for their incredible commitment to affordable housing. And to the new residents of Colibri Commons: Welcome home!”
Financing for Colibri Commons was provided through public and private sources including the City of East Palo Alto, County of San Mateo, Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Wells Fargo, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, HEART of San Mateo County, Strategic Growth Council, California Department of Housing and Community Development, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, and California Municipal Finance Authority. The architect is David Baker Architects, and the general contractor is Blach Construction.
“California is supporting healthy, thriving neighborhoods throughout the state by investing in much-needed affordable housing and sustainable community infrastructure,” said Samuel Assefa, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and Chair of the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), which provided funding through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. “These projects reduce pollution, expand opportunities, and give more Californians what everyone should have: a place to call home.”
Visit www.midpen-housing.org to learn more about MidPen Housing, and www.epacando.org for information about EPACANDO.
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About MidPen Housing: MidPen Housing is one of the most trusted nonprofit developers, owners, and managers of high-quality affordable housing in California. Our mission: To provide safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; establish stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and foster diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony, and mutual respect. Founded in 1970, MidPen currently serves 22,000+ residents at 140 properties in 12 Northern California counties.
About EPACANDO: The East Palo Alto Community Alliance Neighborhood Development Organization (EPACANDO) is dedicated to creating affordable housing and promoting community and economic development in the City of East Palo Alto. For more than three decades, EPACANDO has worked for “progress of, by, and for” our local residents, including a necessarily strong emphasis on anti-displacement. We have pursued two key strategies: co-developing permanently affordable rental housing (600 apartments so far), and supporting residents in acquiring and maintaining homeownership. For more information, visit www.epacando.org.