San Mateo County advances plans for new affordable housing community in downtown San Carlos
San Mateo County, California – San Mateo County has taken another step toward making more affordable housing available in San Carlos. Officials are pushing forward with plans for a new residential community near the center of the city. The county supervisors have agreed to let MidPen Housing start the design phase for a development on three County-owned properties along Walnut Street.
The site is on Walnut Street in the 600 block, adjacent to downtown San Carlos and within walking distance of schools, jobs, and public transportation. County officials believe the location is a good place for housing that can help people who can’t afford to live in the area anymore. The County wants the project to have at least 75 affordable houses as part of its development goals.
County Executive Mike Callagy stated that the decision shows that the County and the City of San Carlos are both committed to meeting housing needs in a thoughtful and cooperative way.
“Together, we share in our collective goal to provide affordable housing to benefit our San Carlos residents,” Callagy said.
MidPen Housing has been building and running affordable communities in the Bay Area for decades. The group has collaborated with San Mateo County on a number of projects that help families with low, very low, and extremely low incomes. At the Walnut Street location, only families with incomes below 80% of the area’s median income would be able to buy homes, and these homes would have to stay affordable for a long time.
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Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing, said the organization is honored to be chosen for the project.
“It’s an honor to be selected to realize the ambitious vision for this downtown site,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing. “We applaud the County and City’s leadership and commitment to affordable housing, and look forward to engaging with local stakeholders to create a community that will reflect shared priorities and serve generations to come.”
The County bought the three parcels at 626, 640, and 648 Walnut Street in 2024 with the objective of building affordable housing in an area that is easy to get to by public transportation. Earlier this year, the County’s Department of Housing sent out a formal request for proposals. They were looking for a developer that had proven experience in design, financing, and running the business for a long time.
Mayor Pranita Venkatesh of San Carlos welcomed the agreement, saying that the property was a great chance to build homes for people who need them, including municipal employees. She talked about how close the project is to downtown and public transportation, and she said the City is happy to be involved early in the process of choosing a developer.
Ten competent development teams sent forward proposals. The selection committee unanimously chose MidPen Housing after interviews and a thorough analysis. They cited its solid track record, strong financial capability, and clear architectural approach as reasons for their choice.
Now that the Board has given its approval, County officials and MidPen Housing will start getting ready for community outreach in 2026. Before the City of San Carlos looks at formal entitlement applications, that procedure will assist influence the project’s design.
