Community Leaders Celebrate Groundbreaking of Sunnyvale Block 15
Construction begins on critical affordable housing development for low-income families and residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Sunnyvale, CA – Today, a group of public and private partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Sunnyvale Block 15, a much-needed affordable housing development that will serve Sunnyvale’s low-income families and households with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 1.44-acre site located at the northwest corner of W. Iowa and S. Mathilda Avenues consists of six City of Sunnyvale owned parcels and was approved for redevelopment by the City of Sunnyvale Planning Commission with significant community support in April of 2020.
“Planning for affordable housing has always been a priority for Sunnyvale,” said City of Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein. “Thanks in part to City-owned land and $17 million in City funds, this development will create new permanent housing for lower-income and developmentally disabled community members. It’s also in a terrific location near public transportation and our vibrant downtown. We are delighted to see construction begin and look forward to our continued partnership with Related to bring this project to fruition.”
Planning for the development began in 2016 when the City of Sunnyvale selected the development team of Related California, Affordable Housing Access, Housing Choices Coalition, and Steinberg Hart to redevelop Block 15, located within the Downtown Specific Plan Area. Since then, the extensive list of public and private partners has grown to include Project Access, County of Santa Clara, Santa Clara Housing Authority, San Andreas Regional Center (SARC), California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Wells Fargo, Citibank, Housing Trust Silicon Valley and Google.
“The Housing Authority is always excited when we can allocate project-based vouchers to a new development and get families into stable, affordable housing,” said Santa Clara County Housing Authority Executive Director Preston Prince. “With Sunnyvale Block 15, we’ll have the chance to connect 22 families to a new home and project-based rental assistance.”
At full buildout, this vital development will include seven townhomes and one 4-story apartment building, providing 90 affordable homes to residents earning 30-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 25% of units set aside for tenants with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The mix of units will include 12 studio apartments, 32 1-bedroom, 23 2-bedroom, and 23 3-bedroom apartments. Housing Choices Coalition, a local community-engaged nonprofit, will provide targeted on-site supportive services for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Affordable Housing Access’s affiliate Project Access providing on-site social services for all residents.
“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders and partners to bring this development forward to this milestone.” said Ann Silverberg, CEO of Related California Nor Cal Affordable and Northwest Divisions. “Addressing California’s acute affordable housing shortfall is key to Related California’s mission, and we are pleased to be involved in such an impactful development in an ideal location in Sunnyvale.”
Designed by Steinberg Hart, Block 15 will be the transition from the Mathilda Avenue commercial corridor to the Washington Park single-family neighborhood. The GreenPoint Rated development has been thoughtfully designed with green building features, including photovoltaic panels, low water planting and efficient irrigation.
“This is what I hoped to see when I urged the Board of Supervisors in 2018 to commit $40 million to help create affordable housing for people of modest means with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian. “Our collaboration with public and private partners means we’re closer to having more homes in our community where folks can live safely and independently, regardless of their circumstances.”
“This project is a testament to the partnership that private and public entities can make in ensuring that all people have a safe and affordable place to live, and in their communities,” said San Andreas Regional Center Executive Director Javier Zaldivar. “San Andreas Regional Center is committed to supporting developers in creating affordable and safe living opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.”
Several elected officials and project leaders were present to commemorate the ceremonial groundbreaking of Sunnyvale Block 15 including City of Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, Santa Clara County Housing Authority Executive Director Preston Prince, Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing Director Consuelo Hernandez, San Andreas Regional Center Executive Director Javier Zaldivar, Google Head of Local Government Affairs and Public Policy for California Javier Gonzales, Related California Nor Cal Affordable and Northwest Divisions CEO Ann Silverberg and Wells Fargo Vice President, Regional Banking Senior Manager Vu Chan Ly.
“Sunnyvale has been a great place for Google to call home for almost eight years, and as we grow here, it’s important to us that we continue to invest and respond to the needs of this community,” said Javier González, Google’s Head of Local Government Affairs and Public Policy, California. “We’re honored to be part of today’s milestone and thrilled to be one step closer to realizing much-needed affordable housing for Sunnyvale residents.”
Sunnyvale Block 15 is being financed with conventional debt, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and Project Based Section 8 Vouchers. The development is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2023.
“We are thrilled to have provided early financing for these safe and stable affordable homes in the heart of Sunnyvale—in the center of Silicon Valley— addressing the housing affordability challenges faced by so many of our community members,” said Noni Ramos, CEO of Housing Trust Silicon Valley. “I am immensely proud of this project and the public-private partnerships that made this development possible.”
To learn more about the Sunnyvale Block 15 project, click here.
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About Related California
Related California, the West Coast affiliate of Related Companies, is a fully integrated real estate firm that develops multifamily residential and mixed-use properties in California.
Since 1989, Related California has undertaken a range of transformational developments from best-in-class luxury high rise residential properties to the redevelopment of obsolete public housing, spanning a broad spectrum of urban infill, affordable, mixed-income and market rate multi-family developments. The company has a development portfolio of more than 17,000 residential units completed or under construction, and more than 2,700 affordable and 3,800 market rate units in pre-development.
Related California has a long history of community partnership, having collaborated with more than 40 municipalities and over 30 non-profit organizations throughout California, and has successfully developed and managed a broad range of property types throughout Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. Related California has developed more than $7.5 billion in assets and has a track record of consistently developing communities that exceed industry benchmarks in design, construction, sustainability and property management. For more information about Related California, visit www.relatedcalifornia.com.
About AHA
Affordable Housing Access is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Founded in 1999, its mission is creating and preserving quality affordable housing and empowering low income individuals and communities through social services and community building. A cornerstone of achieving our mission is partnership with a wide range of developers, owners, investors, lenders, social service providers, public charities and government to leverage our own capabilities. Our partners and our relationships with them are our most valuable assets. AHA and its developer partners have constructed, or acquired and rehabilitated more than 20,000 affordable housing apartments and homes throughout the West.
About City of Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale has enjoyed a plum spot in the Bay Area’s evolution, from agriculture to aerospace to technology. We’re the seventh largest city in the region – a center of technology and innovation, but also a town of quiet family neighborhoods and a diverse community of people. While it’s true that our amazing location has always been a big draw, we also take great pride in the smart planning, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to community that have made Sunnyvale the true heart of Silicon Valley.
About Steinberg Hart
Steinberg Hart is an international architecture, interiors, and planning firm headquartered in Los Angeles. The firm has built a diverse and talented team that works collaboratively across all seven offices challenging one another to develop designs that build community, enhance business, support learning, and connect people with place. Steinberg Hart is known for innovation in design thinking and building technologies that help clients realize the full potential of their project. To learn more, visit https://www.steinberghart.com/.