Affordable housing for individuals with developmental disabilities moves forward after winning State funding

SAN JOSE – Mitchell Park Place, a new 50-unit affordable housing development designed to serve lower-income individuals, with a particular focus on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will move forward after today winning $25 million in federal low-income housing tax credits and $4.8 million in state low-income housing tax credits from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Mitchell Park Place is located on County-owned property at 525 East Charleston Road in Palo Alto. The development is designed to fit in with Palo Alto’s local Eichler architecture.

Rendering of Mitchell Park Place exterior.

“This is the final piece of the funding puzzle. Now it’s go, go, go!” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who proposed the development in 2020. “I’ve spoken to so many families who’ve worried and wondered where their adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live independently as they get older. Michell Park Place is a key part of the answer to that question. It’s crucial that we find ways to keep these residents housed with the services they need.”

The tax credit funding builds on over $12 million in County funding and roughly $3.4 million from the City of Palo Alto to make the project possible. The project has also been awarded 25 project-based vouchers from the Santa Clara County Housing Authority.

Mitchell Park Place is located on land owned by Santa Clara County that previously hosted a small, aged office building used by AbilityPath, a regional nonprofit that provides a full range of support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2020, Simitian proposed the County pursue housing development options at the site focused on housing for people with developmental disabilities given the location’s proximity to AbilityPath and other services. The ground level of the four-story building will include a property management office and program space for AbilityPath.

Rendering of AbilityPath art space at Mitchell Park Place.

“Congratulations — and thank you — to everybody who’s provided their support along the way,” noted Simitian. “It’s been a team effort, and this is a big win.” Simitian also made a point of noting how welcoming the neighborhood has been to this inclusive housing development, particularly folks in the Greenmeadow community.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors selected Eden Housing, a nonprofit organization with 55 years of experience providing safe and affordable housing, as the developer in 2021. In 2022, the County’s Office of Supportive Housing, Eden Housing, and project architect Architects FORA conducted extensive community outreach and the City of Palo Alto granted land use entitlements. Demolition of the site’s existing structure began in early 2023 following a “D-Day” (Demolition Day) community event at the site. Now that final funding has been secured, construction is anticipated to move forward in early 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2025.

“This is an exciting next step in the process of providing much needed affordable housing to individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Linda Mandolini, President and CEO of Eden Housing. “We’d like to thank Supervisor Simitian and the County for their vision and support on this project, as well as the City of Palo Alto and our partners, AbilityPath. We look forward to welcoming residents in 2025.”

The property will feature 50 apartments with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floorplans. Half of the units will offer housing to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. All units will be affordable to households earning at or below 60% of the area median income.

“The Mitchell Park Place project will help address the housing crisis for individuals with developmental disabilities, and will also provide an inclusive community setting where people of all abilities can thrive,” said Bryan Neider, CEO of AbilityPath.

Mitchell Park Place is conveniently located near transit, shopping, schools, a park (which includes a Magical Bridge all-inclusive playground), and a library.

“This is how we build community; step by step,” said Simitian. “I look forward to celebrating the development’s groundbreaking, and to the day we can welcome residents to their new homes.”

Learn more about Mitchell Park Place housing development and join the interested parties update list.