The September 9, 2025, joint meeting of the Mountain View City Council and the Shoreline Regional Park Community focused on innovative strategies to address affordable housing and community ownership. Key discussions centered around the Community Ownership Action Plan (COAP) and the need for flexible financing options, including grants, to support local housing initiatives.

Several community leaders and residents voiced their support for the COAP, emphasizing its potential to prevent displacement and enhance affordable housing options. Andrea, a representative from the Mountain View Community Land Trust, urged the council to consider grants as part of the financing strategy, arguing that traditional loan programs often do not meet the needs of low-income communities. She highlighted the importance of keeping the doors open for innovative funding solutions that could revolutionize affordable housing in the city.

Reva Konduru, a policy associate at SV at Home, echoed these sentiments, advocating for flexibility in funding types. She recommended that city staff be allowed to structure city funds as grants or loans based on specific project needs. This approach would enable community-based organizations to leverage additional financing and ensure that costs do not burden low-income households.

Anthony Chang, a board member of the Mountain View Community Land Trust, also supported the inclusion of grants in the housing program. He cautioned that relying solely on loans could hinder the ability of emerging community land trusts to effectively contribute to the city’s housing goals. Chang pointed to successful grant programs in other cities as models for Mountain View to follow.

In addition to discussions on the COAP, concerns were raised about the recent sale of mobile home parks in the area, which left residents feeling uncertain about their living situations. Council member Alex highlighted the need for better communication regarding property sales to ensure residents are informed and can take action to secure their homes.

The meeting concluded with a strong call for the city to embrace innovative funding solutions and to prioritize community ownership in housing initiatives. The council's next steps will involve further exploration of the proposed financing options and continued engagement with community stakeholders to ensure that the needs of all residents are met.