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Board approves five Measure A‑funded housing projects; county reports progress on 6,300‑unit bond
Summary
Supervisors approved four multifamily rental and one affordable‑homeownership projects drawn from the 2016 Measure A housing bond, advancing roughly 576 units and updating the board on progress, risks and pipeline numbers for the county's housing bond program.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to approve five Measure A housing projects on May 20 and received a detailed progress report on the 2016 Measure A housing bond’s implementation.
Why it matters: Measure A is the county’s $950 million 2016 housing bond. Board materials said the program has been the county’s principal tool to expand permanent supportive and deeply affordable housing since 2016 and has leveraged substantial state, federal and private funds to build, renovate and preserve thousands of units.
What the board approved: Administration asked the supervisors to fund four multifamily rental developments that together will yield 576 new permanently affordable units (including permanent supportive housing set‑asides) and one affordable homeownership townhouse project. Staff said approvals would bring the county’s Measure A approvals to roughly $714 million toward 61 projects in 11 cities, representing more than 6,300 housing bond‑funded units in total, with about 2,500 units set aside for people with histories of homelessness.
Staff presentation and context: Deputy County Executive Consuelo Hernandez and Office of Supportive Housing leaders described the bond’s origin and the multi‑year pipeline. Staff noted that progress has been substantial — more than 2,700 units in operation and about 1,100 units under construction — but that remaining delivery faces risks. Key risks listed in the report included uncertainty in federal and state funding sources, competition for tax credits, high construction costs, insurance and labor pressures, and the time required to obtain entitlements and finance deals. Staff described their three strategies to accelerate delivery: actively applying for additional funding, partnering with local agencies to coordinate funding and approvals, and helping developers make stronger funding applications.
Public comment and partner remarks: Developers, nonprofit housing advocates and service providers told the board Measure A has delivered tangible results and urged continued investment. Speakers included MidPen Housing, Eden Housing, Destination Home, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, and several developers and social‑services providers who highlighted existing Measure A projects that will serve seniors, families, veterans and formerly unhoused people.
Vote and next steps: The board approved the five projects and the staff recommendations by voice vote with no recorded no votes; the motion carried 5–0. Staff said they will continue to pursue tax credits and soft financing, partner with VTA and cities on transit‑oriented developments, and report back on risks and progress in future implementation reports.
Ending: Supervisors thanked the many nonprofit and private partners and urged continued advocacy for state and federal funding programs that help leverage limited local dollars for affordable housing production.
