Assemblymember Berman brings $8 million in State Funding to East Palo Alto Affordable Housing Development

MidPen and EPACANDO's 965 Weeks in East Palo Alto secures $8 million in State funding.
July 1, 2022
965 Weeks Entitlements

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) secured $8 million in the 2022-23 Budget, which the Legislature passed today, to help fund the 965 Weeks Street affordable housing development. The project is a partnership effort between the City of East Palo Alto, San Mateo County, MidPen Housing, EPACANDO, and the State.

“We have a housing affordability crisis in my district,” said Assemblymember Berman. “I will always fight for state funding for more affordable housing. This project models how three levels of government, nonprofits, and the community can successfully work together to help address our housing and homelessness crisis. Not only will the project include 136 affordable homes for low-income families, with eight of those serving homeless households, but it is a key catalyst for important joint transportation projects with Caltrain and SamTrans.”

“This funding will advance much-needed affordable housing and critical infrastructure solutions in East Palo Alto,” said East Palo Alto Mayor Ruben Abrica. “We thank the State Legislature and Administration for earmarking $8 million toward the 965 Weeks Street community in development.”

“To see this level of collaboration recognized with crucial gap-closing funding is gratifying,” said Duane Bay, Executive Director of EPACANDO.  “The result, transforming a vacant, City-owned parcel, will be transformational for 136 households as well.”

“We thank Assemblymember Berman for his advocacy on behalf of the future residents of 965 Weeks Street,” said Matt Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “Due to his incredible commitment and effective work, we are one giant step closer to making our vision to develop new homes for East Palo Alto families a reality.”

965 Weeks Street is an important housing project for the City of East Palo Alto which will provide 136 affordable homes for low-income families. It is deeply affordable—averaging 45% of AMI— which aligns with the needs in the City, where incomes of residents are lower than in any other place in San Mateo County.

The project ranges from studios to 4-bedroom homes for families of all sizes, and 8 homes will serve homeless households referred to and served by the County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. The project is located on donated land and over $23 million of County, City and other local funds have already been committed. While the state’s recent Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities award of $19.8 million got the project closer to starting construction, there remained a final financing hurdle to cross before the project and the planned housing and transportation improvements could be built. The $8 million in state funding helps to fill that gap.

 

Assemblymember Marc Berman represents the 24th Assembly District, which includes southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Website of Assemblymember Marc Berman: www.assembly.ca.gov/Berman. Assemblymember Marc Berman’s official headshot is available here.