Affirmed Housing Group and the city of San Jose celebrated the official opening of Vitalia, a new affordable housing complex at 3100 South Bascom Avenue. The project will bring 79 units, over half of which will be permanent supportive housing, in the southern San Jose neighborhood of Cambrian.
Vitlia is a five-story residential infill split between two wings joined together by a two-story open-air lobby and an inhabited skybridge. Of the 79 units of affordable housing, 39 will be permanent supportive housing. Residents will get access to a ground-level courtyard and a rooftop deck with panoramic views of the nearby mountain range. Parking is included with a below-grade garage. The complex includes around 620 square feet of commercial space.
Vitalia residential courtyard, image via Van Meter Williams Pollack
Van Meter Williams Pollack is responsible for the design. The apartment complex features a familiar facade treatment, with articulated volumes distinguished by materials and window frames. The exterior of Vitalia is wrapped with vertical metal sheets, fiber-cement panels, and wood boards.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was among the attendees celebrating the opening of Vitalia. Speaking to the crowd, Mahan shared that the project aims to bring “dignity and stability and security for our previously homeless neighbors, our veterans, our seniors it’s at the heart of making our city work for everyone and end our homelessness crisis and we need an all-of-the-above approach.” Shashank Agrawal, Project Manager at Affirmed Housing, shared that five formerly homeless veterans are already living in Vitalia and utilizing the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
Vitalia street view, image via Van Meter Williams Pollack
The 0.64-acre parcel is located by the intersection of Camden Avenue and South Bascom Avenue, less than a mile from the Cambrian Park Plaza strip mall. In 2022, the City Council approved plans for a mixed-use master plan that would bring 455 apartments and other functions to the shopping center. Project developer Kimco Realty has not indicated any progress toward starting construction on the site, following a regional trend of mixed-use proposals on pause.
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Ahhh yes, ladies and gentlemen, the bare minimum.
This is good news, but only 79 units? Is the low number of units the result of NIMBY influence or NIMBY politicians, or PAC’s, or people who feel that any new housing built near them, is designed to serve the entire community? the new housing is designed to strict safety guidelines and community standards, so perhaps the NIMBY attitude is the knowledge that new housing is not going to increase existing homeowner property value as much as vacant land? Property owners want as little new housing as possible because they view their homes as investments.
Summary: This city needs more than just 79 new units at a time.
What’s crazy about America- there’s a KFC next door with a similar-sized lot. Zero units of housing, mostly just parking and grease.