affordable housing

Cupertino housing Plan Faces Resident Opposition Despite ⁢Developer Appeals

Cupertino, ⁣CA – A ​proposed affordable housing project⁢ in cupertino is meeting resistance ‍from some residents who voice concerns‌ about ⁢neighborhood⁢ safety and quality of life, despite developers’ efforts ⁢to highlight the project’s benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities. The project,slated for a site near‍ Memorial Park,has sparked debate⁣ over density and ​cumulative neighborhood impact.

the advancement originated over a decade ago‍ with a proposal from the Rotary Club ⁢to build affordable housing for seniors,⁤ a plan ‌later‌ denied by the city council. In February 2024, the Cupertino City Council unanimously approved a one-year exclusive negotiation period with developers for the current iteration of the project, designed to provide housing for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Developer Pham emphasized the careful planning behind the project, stating ⁤she hopes opponents will recognize its potential to enrich ​the community. “Just think for a second and imagine that‍ your child had a developmental disability,” she told San José Spotlight. “wouldn’t you want your kid to have ⁣safe,affordable housing in ‌the​ community⁤ where⁤ they grew⁢ up,close to family,friends,resources,a sense of belongingness?”

though,a Garden ‍Gate resident,requesting anonymity,expressed concerns that developers haven’t adequately addressed the impact of surrounding developments,specifically referencing⁢ the nearby Westport development.The resident fears increased density‌ will negatively affect neighborhood safety, notably for ‌children, and potentially increase the risk of car accidents due to road changes.

“Everybody’s building in piecemeal,but nobody’s stepping back ‌and (saying),’Oh my gosh.What is the cumulative effect⁢ of what we’re ⁤doing to this area? Is this really the right spot to be building into the street because it’s so narrow?'” the resident told San José Spotlight.

Orrin Mahoney, ​a board member of the Rotary Club‍ of Cupertino Housing‌ Corporation, countered these concerns, stating that⁣ parking studies showed minimal ​use of the ⁤proposed site except during events at ‍Memorial Park. ‌He also lamented the shift in​ community support, noting the ⁣previous proposal “brought everybody together.”

The project remains under negotiation, with the city and developers working ‍to address‍ resident concerns while moving forward with‌ plans to ‍provide much-needed affordable housing options in ⁣Cupertino.

Trump Bill Could Unlock New Funding for Silicon Valley Affordable Housing

SAN JOSE, CA – A newly reintroduced‌ bill from former President Donald trump, initially proposed during his management, could potentially‍ unlock⁣ significant federal funding for affordable housing projects across Silicon Valley, offering a potential lifeline to ⁢stalled developments and a⁢ boost to the ⁢region’s efforts to ‍address its severe housing crisis. The “Yes In My Backyard Act,” or YIMBY Act, aims to incentivize‌ cities to reduce restrictive ‍zoning regulations ‍that limit housing density, making them eligible for competitive grants.

While Silicon valley has already invested heavily in local affordable housing initiatives⁢ – completing 700 affordable units across 61 developments, including Blossom‍ Valley Senior Apartments, Villas on the Park, and Agrihood senior Apartments – progress has been hampered by funding challenges. San Jose voters approved⁣ Measure E in 2020 to fund affordable housing construction, but the City​ Council later redirected 90% of those funds toward temporary housing for the ⁤next two‍ fiscal years, putting 13‍ projects on hold and delaying over ⁤1,500 new‍ homes.⁢ The YIMBY Act could provide a crucial ⁢supplemental funding source, ⁢especially as regional and state-level efforts have faced setbacks.

The YIMBY Act works by withholding certain federal housing ⁤funds from cities that maintain ⁣zoning‌ rules preventing the growth of more housing. This includes restrictions on density,‌ minimum lot ‌sizes, and parking​ requirements. Cities that adopt policies allowing for ​increased housing supply would then be​ able to compete for grants to support affordable housing projects.

“$10 billion sounds like a lot ‌of money, but once that’s spread out over the state, that goes pretty fast,” said‍ Matt ishimatsu, highlighting the ongoing need for diverse funding streams. ⁣”We would still need local funding,especially if we want to⁤ take full advantage of the newly available tax ​credits.” ⁣The potential influx of federal funds from the YIMBY Act could complement state initiatives like Assembly Bill 736 and Senate⁢ Bill 417, which propose a $10 billion state bond ⁣for affordable housing, ⁤and help offset the loss of funding from redirected local⁢ sources and the failure of Regional Measure 4, a proposed $20 billion Bay Area ⁤housing‌ bond.The bill’s success hinges on its passage⁢ through Congress and the willingness of Silicon Valley cities to⁤ adopt zoning reforms.⁢ Advocates believe the YIMBY Act​ represents⁣ a significant opportunity to address the region’s affordability crisis, but warn that local action will be critical to maximizing its impact.