East San José is now home to the newly opened 1860 Alum Rock Apartments, a 60-unit affordable housing development made possible through a collective effort between Santa Clara County, Charities Housing, and various partners. The development officially celebrated its grand opening last Friday, showcasing a blend of residential spaces and community services designed to assist those affected by the housing crisis in Silicon Valley.
The project includes 30 units dedicated to rapid rehousing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, 29 units for very low-income residents, and one unit reserved for a manager. The ground floor of the five-story building houses the Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment, an organization focused on neighborhood services, according to the Santa Clara County News.
In a notable financial contribution, the County invested $11.6 million through Measure A, a $950 million affordable housing bond approved by voters in 2016. In its ninth year, Measure A has outstripped its initial goal of 4,800 units by pledging to create approximately 6,600 new affordable housing units. County Supervisor Betty Duong lauded the success of Measure A, noting, "Both the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, in 2021, and the Mercury News, earlier this month, have declared 2016's Measure A housing bond a success." She highlighted that the apartments represent "a massive win for increasing affordability in Santa Clara County, and proof of what local government can accomplish," as reported by the Santa Clara County News.
This latest housing effort underscores the County's proactive approach to tackling the dearth of affordable residences, stepping into a role typically held by cities. KJ Kaminski, the director of the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing, expressed excitement over the collaboration that brought the development to fruition. "We're thrilled to see this collaboration with Charities Housing and Amigos de Guadalupe come to life," said Kaminski, per the Santa Clara County News. "1860 Alum Rock Apartments is the most recent project supported by our Measure A Affordable Housing Bond, bringing affordable housing and a vibrant community space to a neighborhood experiencing displacement from the extremely high cost of living in Silicon Valley."
Designed to reflect and respect the Mexican heritage prevalent in East San José, the 1860 Alum Rock Apartments feature artistic elements, including a striking ground-floor mural. Beyond the aesthetics, the building offers practical amenities such as a community room, secure parking, and a second-story courtyard.
