Lafayette council approves affordable housing sale and plans cancer support center groundbreaking

The recent State of the City Address by Mayor Candell highlighted several significant developments for Lafayette, California, during a meeting held on April 18, 2025. The mayor announced key initiatives aimed at enhancing community support and housing opportunities.

One of the most notable announcements was the groundbreaking for the new Bay Area Cancer Support Community Center, set to take place in April. This facility will focus on providing support services rather than treatments and will serve a broader region beyond Lafayette. Mayor Candell expressed gratitude to the cancer support community for their efforts in establishing this important resource.

Additionally, the mayor shared details about the upcoming Lafayette Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 3. This event, organized in partnership with the Community Foundation of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, will feature a day of volunteering, family-friendly activities, free lunch from Rancho Cantina, and live music. Sign-ups for the event will open next week.

In a significant move for affordable housing, the city council unanimously voted to sell the 949 Moraga Road parking lot to Sunflower Hill and Saha for just $1. The plan is to develop 43 units of 100% affordable housing for developmentally disabled adults. This agreement is contingent on the developers securing funding within a year, highlighting the community's strong support for such initiatives amid dwindling state and federal funding.

Lastly, Mayor Candell announced that the city received certification from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its housing element. This achievement marks a crucial step in the city's long-term planning efforts, which the mayor humorously compared to an "ultra marathon."

These developments reflect Lafayette's commitment to community support and affordable housing, with the mayor encouraging residents to stay engaged as these projects progress.