Emeryville council approves $31.76 million commitment for deeply affordable 4300 San Pablo housing project

The Emeryville City Council on May 19 voted 3–2 to authorize a local financing commitment of up to $31,757,588 to support development of a 68-unit, 100% affordable intergenerational housing project at 4300 San Pablo Avenue. The project, led by developer EAH Housing, would set aside 54 units for seniors and 13 units for transitional-age youth, with one manager unit, and is designed to include on-site supportive services and connections to the adjacent senior center.

City staff and EAH officials told the council that rising construction costs and changes in available state and federal subsidy programs have widened a funding gap since the project was first proposed in 2020. Valerie Bernardo, Emeryville’s economic development and housing manager, said the $62 million development cost currently includes a land value estimated at about $4 million and that the city’s request represents a combination of Measure C housing bond funds, low-mod income housing asset funds, Alameda County Measure A-1 reservation and other local sources. Bernardo described the $31.7 million as a mix of Measure C bond proceeds (the largest share), low-mod housing funds and other local housing resources and said the city’s contribution is needed for EAH’s upcoming low-income housing tax credit application.

“Without additional local subsidy, this project is not competitive for state tax credits and we risk significant delay,” Bernardo said, explaining that an extended state surplus-lands process or re-run procurement could push construction out years and increase costs. EAH’s Wilton Jordan and other supporters told the council the site’s proximity to transit, the Emery Go-Round shuttle and the senior center make it a strong fit for both seniors and transitional-age youth.

Supporters in the public comment period described the project as lifesaving for vulnerable young adults exiting foster care and for older residents at risk of losing housing. Speakers including representatives from supportive-services partners said the development will pair deeply affordable apartments with on-site case management and services intended to improve long-term stability.

Council debate centered on whether the level of local subsidy is an appropriate use of Measure C bond proceeds and other city housing funds. Council member David Mora, who voted no, said the city lacked a local policy capping per-unit subsidy and warned that spending a large share of Measure C on a single project could erode public trust and reduce the funds available for other projects. “This is a bitter pill,” Mora said. Mayor Carr also voted no, citing the city’s structural budget pressures and the timing of the commitment while the council considers new revenue measures.

Vice Mayor Solomon, who moved the staff recommendation, and Council members Welsh and Preyfors, who supported the motion, said the city already has Measure C funds in hand and that delaying the commitment could make the project infeasible as construction costs rise and funding sources remain constrained. The motion passed 3–2.

The decision authorizes the city manager to commit up to the approved amount and to amend the city’s affordable housing expenditure plan to accommodate the funding. Staff said, if approved, the developer would submit a tax-credit application in July and, if successful and schedule permitting, construction could begin as early as spring 2027 with initial occupancy in subsequent years. If the council had declined to commit now, staff warned, a new surplus-lands process and reprocurement could delay housing completion until as late as 2032.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Authorize up to $31,757,588 in local financing commitments for the 4300 San Pablo project (mover: Vice Mayor Solomon; second: Council member Welsh). Outcome: Approved, 3–2 (Mora — Nay; Preyfors — Aye; Welsh — Aye; Vice Mayor Solomon — Aye; Mayor Carr — Nay).

What happens next

Staff will finalize the financing commitment letter for EAH’s tax-credit application, amend the affordable housing expenditure plan as authorized, and return to council with any contract documents and additional budget details as required. If the developer’s application for tax credits or other financing does not succeed, the council may be asked to reconsider next steps.