SANTA ROSA, CA—On July 27, partners from the city, county, and state came together to celebrate the construction framing of Mahonia Glen, MidPen Housing’s first affordable rental community in the city.
Mahonia Glen will provide 99 affordable apartments for families with incomes up to 60% AMI (currently $75,480 for a family of four), including 43 homes with a preference for residents who work in farming and agriculture.
Mahonia Glen was the first development in Santa Rosa to advance under SB 35—a bill that streamlines approval of projects that meet affordability requirements, and which is proposed to be extended under SB 423 (Wiener). Mahonia Glen moved forward in 2022 thanks to $55.4 million from the California Housing Accelerator, a state Housing and Community Development (HCD) program that fuels shovel-ready affordable housing.
“Mahonia Glen is a prime example of how we can align policies and resources to reduce logjams and create permanently affordable homes more efficiently,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “We applaud the State, City and County leadership for their commitment to much-needed housing, and we look forward to welcoming families to their new homes next Fall.”
“Mahonia Glen is a wonderful example of HCD programs working in concert to advance key housing needs in the state,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “An award through the California Housing Accelerator program gave developers the spark they needed to move this shovel-ready project forward; meanwhile, an infusion of funds from the Joe Serna, Jr., Farmworker Housing Grant Program ensures nearly half of these units will be prioritized for farmworker families—whose contributions are so critical to California communities. HCD is thrilled to partner with Prohousing communities like Santa Rosa to address such critical areas of housing need.”
Located on Highway 12 on a 4.75-acre site that sat vacant for 10 years, Mahonia Glen will offer an environmentally friendly design with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in eight garden-style buildings surrounding a community room, play structures, landscaped outdoor area, and a water feature that runs through the property. Nearby amenities include a shopping center with a grocery store and restaurants, parks and walking trails, public schools and a regional library, and, in front of the community, a new bus stop that will operate several service lines.
“The City of Santa Rosa commends MidPen for helping to meet our community’s critical housing need and is proud to support the Mahonia Glen project through $4.9 million in deferred loan funds,” said Jeff Owen, Board Chair of the Santa Rosa Housing Authority. “The new Rincon Valley development will create affordable homes for farmworker families and others who provide vital services in our community, and with nearby shopping, transit, jobs, and robust onsite resident services, it truly has the power to transform lives.”
MidPen Property Management will professionally manage the community, and MidPen Resident Services will provide free, onsite services such as financial literacy classes, employment preparation, and connections to community resources.
Financing for the development was provided through both public and private sources including the City of Santa Rosa and the Santa Rosa Housing Authority; the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s California Housing Accelerator and Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant programs; and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The architect for Mahonia Glen is PYATOK Architecture + Urban Design and the general contractor is Deacon Construction, LLC.
To learn more about MidPen Housing, visit www.midpen-housing.org. Interested prospective residents may visit https://www.midpen-housing.org/property/mahonia-glen/ to join the interest list.