The City of San Jose has submitted a request for funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a six-story affordable housing project near Downtown San Jose, Santa Clara County. The project will create 99 units that will either become permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing units at 797 South Almaden Avenue. RCD Housing is the project developer.
797 South Almaden Avenue courtyard, illustration by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
The city has estimated the project will cost at least $118 million. HUD is expected to provide around $22.6 million over 20 years through the Section 8 Project Based Vouchers program for 35 units. The request comes after an environmental review concluded that the housing “will have no significant impact on the human environment.” While the city writes that the housing will either be “rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals,” the drafted proposal suggests there will be 25 permanent supportive housing units, 41 extremely low-income units, and 32 low-income units.
The six-story apartment will create 99 units, 2,315 square feet of community-service commercial space, open space, and an on-site resident support facility. Apartment sizes will vary with 30 studio units, 24 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units, and 20 three-bedroom units. One of the two bedrooms will be reserved for the on-site manager. Parking will be included in an 11,460-square-foot garage, using stackers to achieve a 92-vehicle capacity. Additional parking will be included for 127 bicycles.
797 South Almaden Avenue pedestrian view, illustration by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects is responsible for the design. Illustrations show a low-cost facade with floor-to-ceiling windows, solar shades along the articulated exterior with vertical carve-outs, and setbacks to reduce the overall scale and improve interior comfort. Floor
Reporting by George Avalos for the Bay Area News Group showed in 2021 that RCD Housing purchased the five parcels necessary for $3.6 million.
797 South Almaden Avenue, image via Google Street View
The property at 797 South Almaden Avenue is occupied by a vacant single-story commercial building and surface parking, formerly occupied by the El Grullo Taqueria y Mariscos. The estimated timeline for groundbreaking and completion is not yet available.
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“At least” $118 million for 99 units is “at least” $1.2 million per unit for “affordable” Section 8 housing. You know the project will be at least 25% over budget if they start building now. But after the 3-5 years it will take to get a building permit before a shovel hits the ground, if there is no challenge to the EIR, the cost will be at least 50% over budget. If they find a salamander or an endangered spider when they start digging, construction will be halted for another two years. Then they will be at least 75% over budget. And the site is in an area infested with street gangs.