Every year, HLC and our partners dedicate the month of May to affordable housing. Through multiple events scattered throughout the month, we engage hundreds of housing supporters around San Mateo County to collectively learn, mobilize, and understand the positive and extensive impact affordable housing brings. We do this by offering the opportunity of attending informative workshops, groundbreakings, housing policy panels, affordable housing tours, and more. Most of all, we come together to recognize the ongoing efforts and power of our local partners and communities.
Due to COVID-19, HLC will not be hosting any in-person events during Affordable Housing Month. We will however continue the momentum of our collective work by hosting virtual events and providing engaging at-home activities.
EVENTS
Featured Affordable Housing Development
Virtual feature of affordable housing developments in San Mateo County!
Thursday, May 27
Arroyo Green Apartments, MidPen Housing
Arroyo Green Apartments, developed by MidPen Housing, brings 117 affordable homes for seniors earning up to 50% of the Area Median Income to amenity-rich downtown Redwood City. Arroyo Green helps address the need for affordable housing for a growing population of seniors, including veterans and those experiencing homelessness. The design supports the goal of healthy living, allowing seniors to age in place and continue to live active and enriched lives. Helen C., a new resident of Arroyo Green, shares what a safe, permanent, affordable home means to her: “It’s stability. I don’t have to think about, ‘where will I be next year?’ anymore. I feel like I can take care of myself now and be independent. This is such a blessing.” Development of Arroyo Green also includes a child care center on the development’s ground floor, operated and managed by Footsteps, a non-profit child care provider, as well as trail that is open to the public. Arroyo Green helps fulfill the City of Redwood City’s housing plan. The community began
welcoming residents in April 2021.
Learn more about Arroyo Green with this eBook experience.
Thursday, May 20
Coleman Park, HIP Housing
On April 1, 2021, HIP Housing purchased 14 homes in Menlo Park. This is an example of a preservation effort, where an existing apartment building is purchased and deed-restricted as affordable, so rents and tenancy can be secured immediately. This is HIP Housing’s 19th preservation property and is deed-restricted as affordable for 55 years.
HIP Housing also has an opportunity for community members to celebrate Affordable Housing Month! Grab a cocktail and join HIP Housing on May 26th to hear powerful client stories, important HIP Housing updates, and a unique keynote perspective from Kathryn Edin, Ph.D. To RSVP, please visit hiphousing.org/virtualevent.
Redwood Oaks, HIP Housing
In 2018, HIP Housing partnered with the City of Redwood City, County of San Mateo, CREA, Silicon Valley Bank, Gunkel Architecture, and Nibbi Brothers Construction to rehabilitate Redwood Oaks from the ground up. All 47 residents at Redwood Oaks earn 50% or less of the average median income for San Mateo County. The completion of the Redwood Oaks rehab means that tenants now have completely refurbished units along with four new ADA accessible units. Redwood Oaks also offers a new community room and a community garden so residents now have a place to gather and grow fruits and vegetables.
The renovation was completed in 2020.
Thursday, May 13
Willow Glen, EAH Housing
EAH Housing’s Willow Housing provides apartments for formerly homeless veterans and veterans at risk of imminent homelessness. Located on the edge of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System campus in Menlo Park, Willow Housing provides quality permanent affordable housing in close proximity to services and transportation. The project originated from the Federal BURR Initiative, a Congressional effort to eliminate the nationwide housing crisis among veterans.
Michael McCall (featured above), resident of Willow Housing, developed by CORE Companies, managed by EAH Housing, Menlo Park. “Before I got here, I was homeless for four years. Before that, I was paying $1,100 a month to live with a roommate. I would pay my rent, and then I would be broke.
“I have 30 years of medical and trauma experience. I started as a medic in the army, and then I worked at Kaiser, St. Mary’s, and UCSF in the emergency room.”
Thursday, May 6
BRIDGEtown (Montara), BRIDGE Housing
“Home is somewhere I know I can be safe.” Watch Karenrose and Mika talk about what their new home, in the BRIDGE Montara affordable housing building, means to them.
This building, which opened last year, has 68 affordable homes and is located on the former Bay Meadows horse racing track. Find out more about these homes and their new residents by clicking on the image above
Our annual Affordable Housing Month community event!
📣 Missed the event? Please find the recording on Facebook
Congrats to the Student Finalists and Winners*
Poetry
K-5 Group:
Finley Brownstein
Rachel Cronin*
Kian Motamedi
6-12 Group:
Lena Hui
Julia Santos
Marta Olson*
Visual Art
K-5 Group:
Mina Hui*
JT Baker
Luna Chi Ye
6-12 Group:
Sharon Song
Emily Gao*
Jane Oh*
Music (click to listen to recording)
William Christensen*
Javin Zipkin
Helen Boone
We Appreciate our Sponsors!
Sponsorship opportunity still available. We would love to partner with you to bring more impactful and informative events to our supporters.