San Mateo County supervisors commit $18 million federal money to housing and homelessness relief amid rising living costs
San Mateo County, California – San Mateo County supervisors have set aside $18 million in federal money to increase affordable housing and support services for local residents in a major stride towards solving the growing housing crisis. Originating from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the money is a targeted effort to support lower-cost housing options, help those experiencing homelessness, and increase the building of affordable homes. This additional money is meant not just for building homes but also for strengthening the fabric of the society by improving the quality of living for every citizen.
Vice President of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, David Canepa, emphasized the critical nature of this initiative. “This funding builds on our commitment to expanding housing options for everyone,” said Canepa in a press release. “When a community has housing that is more affordable, the quality of life improves for everyone.”
For San Mateo County, where the high cost of living significantly affects its citizens, housing affordability has always been a prominent issue. Recent surveys repeatedly show that housing remains a top concern, which emphasizes the requirement of sustainable and easily available homes for a wide spectrum of people with different earnings.
For many in San Mateo County, where the federal government defines a family of four earning up to $156,650 as “low income,” affordability is out of reach given housing expenses often absorbing more than thirty percent of a family’s income. This program seeks to correct these disparities by funding projects that give the community, especially those most affected by growing housing prices, relief from housing needs.
The $18.5 million allotment will also help the County Executive’s Office to determine particular housing-related needs and create partnerships with qualified initiatives. This strategy guarantees that money is directed to initiatives directly addressing the most critical housing issues throughout the county. One project benefiting from this increased allocation is the Belmont Family Apartments project, a noteworthy example of how ARPA money is enabling San Mateo County to have affordable housing.
Opening in near future, the Belmont Family Apartments will include 125 affordable units on El Camino Real, giving tenants quick access to the Belmont CalTrain station, retail, and basic utilities. Twenty of these newly constructed houses have been specifically reserved for former soldiers who need stable, reasonably priced accommodation close to the community facilities they need. Beginning building in April 2024, this project was launched with great help from the $9.5 million financing from ARPA.
The allocation comes at a time when the ongoing effects of inflation continue to erode purchasing power, particularly for low- to moderate-income households. “Housing continues to be a pressing need across San Mateo County, especially as inflation continues to eat into paychecks,” Canepa said. “I can think of no higher priority than directing additional funding to affordable housing.”
Dealing with these issues for the county’s leadership involves using a long-term strategy for economic stability with affordable housing as a main component.
Affordable housing projects such as these show the county’s dedication to fair economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Signed into legislation in March 2021, ARPA was intended specifically to help state and local governments rehabilitate areas most affected by the COVID. San Mateo County is investing in a future whereby people from all income levels may afford to live, work, and flourish by focusing these federal dollars toward housing.
Affordable housing is clearly a top concern for the Board of Supervisors as the county negotiates difficult economic problems. With this $18 million project, the county’s efforts to create a more inclusive community—one in which housing is available to all—showforward significantly. Projects like the Belmont Family Apartments are meant to have a real impact, hence the objective is that these investments will help San Mateo County residents have a stable and sustainable home market far into the future.
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Through this committed financing and ongoing support, San Mateo County not only meets a pressing present need but also opens the path for a more resilient community.
