In a move that could transform the home ownership landscape for low-income residents in Silicon Valley, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has taken substantial steps to make affordable housing a reality near public transit. At a press conference yesterday, VTA detailed a collaboration with Charities Housing to erect 45 townhomes on VTA-owned land beside the Branham Light Rail Station, a scheme designed to foster homeownership rather than the more commonly seen rental unit developments.

Significantly, the project earmarks a quarter of its units for those considered extremely low-income, defined as earning 30 percent or lower of Santa Clara County’s median income. VTA General Manager/CEO Carolyn Gonot said, as per the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, “At VTA, we are proud to be on the cutting edge of this opportunity, and we hope this is just the beginning, with other projects and developers following suit.” This gesture earmarks the agency's first foray into homeownership-focused development within its broader Transit-Oriented Development portfolio.

The Branham townhome scheme benefits from collaboration between VTA and the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing, leveraging funds from the 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond. This housing initiative ensures long-term affordability through deed restrictions, which will maintain the Area Median Income levels indefinitely, as outlined by the Office of Supportive Housing.

Garnering further financial momentum, the project recently procured a sizeable grant from Destination Home, buttressing the initiative through this public-private partnership known for backing thousands of affordable homes across the county. Securing a Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Priority Sites designation in 2023 led to further grant resources from MTC. Mark Mikl, Charities Housing Executive Director, told the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, “The County of Santa Clara, MTC, and Destination: Home have provided the critical early-phase financing needed to get the project off the ground and to leverage additional funding sources going forward.”