MidPen Housing, one of the most trusted nonprofit developers, owners and managers of high-quality affordable housing in Northern California, has received $40,910,717 from the California Strategic Growth Council.
Administered by the Strategic Growth Council, the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program fights climate change by funding sustainable affordable housing projects and transportation infrastructure across California. Together with its transit partners, MidPen Housing received AHSC awards for the following transit-oriented developments:
- 965 Weeks, East Palo Alto ($19.8M) – In partnership with CalTrain and SamTrans, 965 Weeks will bring 135 new affordable homes and $7.8M in transportation investments to the City of East Palo Alto. The funds will increase and expand SamTrans’ bus services with the purchase of three electric bus vehicles and will electrify and modernize the CalTrain corridor with the purchase of a CalTrain Electric Multiple Unit Train, thus reducing greenhouse gases by 32,865 metric tons.
- Lazuli Landing, Union City ($21.1M) – In partnership with BART and the City of Union City, Lazuli Landing will bring 81 new affordable homes and $7M in transportation, bicycle, and pedestrian improvement investments to the City of Union City. These funds will increase the number of BART trains operating through the Transbay Tube by funding the purchase of two new BART cars and will add a new Class IV bike facility and pedestrian improvements in Union City, thus reducing greenhouse gases by 29,235 metric tons.
“Meeting our affordable housing goals and advancing California’s climate leadership are priorities that go hand in hand, as these projects demonstrate,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “It is important now more than ever to build homes for Californians close to the places they need to be every day, like jobs and schools, as an integrated solution to reduce harmful emissions and create housing that meets the needs of all our communities.”
“We are thrilled to award the 37 high-impact projects to broaden much needed access to affordable housing and vital opportunities while protecting California from the impacts of climate change,” said Strategic Growth Council Executive Director Lynn von Koch-Liebert. “The Strategic Growth Council is committed to partnering with communities to bring their housing and climate goals to life, and this round of Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities shows exactly how integrated solutions can make a transformative impact across the state.”
“MidPen is grateful for these crucial investments from the Strategic Growth Council and the AHSC Program, which will foster more sustainable communities through affordable housing like 965 Weeks and Lazuli Landing and transportation solutions via CalTrain, SamTrans, and BART,” said Matt Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “By having affordable homes close to jobs and transit, we create integrated housing patterns that revitalize communities and reduce a region’s carbon footprint – a cornerstone of MidPen’s 5-Year Strategic Plan initiatives.”
“This AHSC funding will advance much-needed affordable housing in East Palo Alto and create fundamental infrastructure solutions that support environmental sustainability in San Mateo County,” said East Palo Alto Mayor Ruben Abrica. “We look forward to seeing the funding implemented through increased SamTrans’ bus services and a modernized CalTrain corridor.”
“These AHSC investments provide crucial momentum as we work with MidPen Housing to develop Lazuli Landing,” said Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci. “It demonstrates how smart land-use design that pairs affordable housing and transportation like BART supports climate change solutions in the Bay Area.”
AHSC is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The program is administered in partnership with the California Department of Housing and Community Development.