Kiku Crossing – Old parking lots transformed into vibrant affordable housing gives hope to many who can’t afford housing
San Mateo County, California – It took Noemi Perdomo years to find a location she could finally call home. She wanted more than just a roof over her head after relocating from one insecure living situation to another. She wanted to feel like she belonged to a community. She got her desire when she moved into Kiku Crossing, a new affordable housing complex that was built on top of two old parking lots in downtown San Mateo.
Perdomo told her story in front of a small gathering in Kiku Crossing’s sunny courtyard at the grand opening event just recently. She stood next to a bright playground structure and talked about how the facility had changed her life with emotion.
“This is my first experience living completely independently. When I moved in, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But right away I started connecting with people,” she said.
There are 225 completely furnished apartments in Kiku Crossing, which is located at 480 E. 4th Avenue, just east of the Caltrain rails. The building has studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, all of which are only available to those who make between 30 and 80 percent of the area’s typical income. For a lot of people, like those who have been homeless or have developmental impairments, it’s a rare chance to find a stable, affordable place to live.
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During the ribbon-cutting, San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo highlighted what makes the development more than just a set of apartments.
“One of the things that gets me excited about this project is also something you cannot see. It’s something that’s completely invisible to the eye unless you walk into the offices,” San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo said at the ceremony. “It’s the services and the care reflected in the staff who work here who unlock opportunities for people who didn’t have them before…. That is what freedom looks like.”
There is more to the complex than just residences. Residents can use the rooftop terrace, which has great views, the children’s learning center, the computer room, and the community rooms, which are all furnished with vibrant artwork. MidPen Housing, the organization that built Kiku Crossing, has also brought in services including after-school programs, workshops on how to manage money, and activities for health and wellness.
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Local leaders during the ceremony praised how the area has changed from being mostly empty parking lots for decades. They talked about how changing land that isn’t used much into a thriving community center where neighbors help one other may be quite powerful.
The City of San Mateo, San Mateo County, and MidPen Housing all worked together to make Kiku Crossing happen. Funding came from Measure K, the county’s half-cent sales tax for basic services, and project-based vouchers from the county’s Housing Authority. This will make sure that the project stays affordable for many years to come.
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What was to be pavement is now a space in the center of San Mateo where hundreds of people, like Perdomo, can meet new people, find stability, and feel like they belong.
More details can be found on San Mateo County’s website.
