Half Moon Bay Council Supports Mercy Housing for 555 Kelly Affordable Project

The Half Moon Bay City Council convened on April 1, 2025, to discuss critical developments regarding affordable housing in the community, particularly focusing on the 555 Kelly project. The meeting featured several public speakers who expressed their support for the proposed amendments to the exclusive negotiations agreement with Mercy Housing, the sole bidder for the project.

Joanne, a community member, emphasized the importance of safe and affordable housing, urging the council to pass the proposed amendment as a significant step toward making the 555 Kelly project a reality. Her remarks highlighted the necessity of such housing for the community.

Suzanne Moore, a board member of Health Care for the Homeless and a long-time coastal resident, echoed this sentiment. She praised the council's efforts and described the vote as a milestone in the journey toward providing safe housing for farmworkers, who play a vital role in the community. Moore urged the council to remain focused on their goal of creating affordable housing.

Noreen Cooper Heavlin, representing CoSight Faith in Action and the local Unitarian Universalist Church, spoke about the need to amend the exclusive negotiations agreement to align with state and county funding requirements. She stressed the challenges of building affordable housing and the importance of demonstrating reliability as partners in this endeavor. Heavlin warned against the risks of becoming like other areas where affordable housing is scarce, making it difficult for essential workers to live in the community.

The meeting underscored a collective commitment among community members and council members to advance the 555 Kelly project, which aims to provide much-needed housing for farmworkers and other residents. The council's next steps will involve reviewing the proposed amendments to ensure the project can secure necessary funding and move forward effectively.