Eden Updates, Media Alerts

Eden Housing, In Partnership with Santa Clara County, City of Palo Alto and AbilityPath, Breaks Ground on Mitchell Park Place

February 23, 2024

– Project addresses the housing crisis impacting individuals with developmental disabilities by providing 50 high-quality affordable housing units –

PHOTO/VIDEO OPP: 1 to 3 p.m.

WHAT:

Eden Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, will break ground on their highly anticipated Mitchell Park Place project at 525 East Charleston Road in Palo Alto on February 28, 2024.

Mitchell Park Place is a mixed-use development that will contribute to the vibrant neighborhood around Mitchell Park with a 2,773 square-foot office space for public social services as well as 50 high-quality affordable housing units for lower-income households, including special needs housing for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The new units at Mitchell Park Place will house individuals and households earning at or below 60% of the area median income. The ground level of the four-story building will include a community room and offices for property management and resident services staff, as well as a program space for AbilityPath, a regional nonprofit that provides a full range of support services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

“I’d like to thank our partner, AbilityPath, the County and Supervisor Joe Simitian, and the City of Palo Alto for their continued leadership in supporting affordable housing in our community,” said Eden Housing CEO Linda Mandolini. “This project represents a collective commitment to creating inclusive communities and addressing the pressing need for affordable housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. As we celebrate this groundbreaking, we express gratitude to all stakeholders, partners and community members who have contributed to making Mitchell Park Place a reality.”

Mitchell Park Place is located on land owned by Santa Clara County. In 2020, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian proposed that the County pursue housing development options at the site with a focus on housing for people with developmental disabilities given the location’s proximity to AbilityPath and other services. In 2021, the Board of Supervisors selected Eden Housing as the developer.

“Mitchell Park Place is more than a housing development; it’s the answer to a question that many families in our community have asked—where can their adult children live independently as they get older?” said County Supervisor Simitian. “Mitchell Park Place is the answer to that question. We’re getting closer and closer to developing homes where folks can live safely and independently in their own community – with all the services they need to thrive.”

Housing will be conveniently located near AbilityPath’s main Palo Alto campus on Middlefield Road. New residents will be situated near transit options, shopping, schools, a library and Mitchell Park.

“Together we’ve created something extraordinary,” said Bryan Neider, CEO of AbilityPath. “These homes will help folks live safely and independently in their own community with all of the services they need to thrive. This project aligns with our mission to empower individuals with developmental disabilities, promoting independence and enriching lives through education and skill development.”

Palo Alto Mayor Greer Stone remarked that the groundbreaking is something he’s looked forward to for a very long time. “The City of Palo Alto is proud to support this vital affordable housing project that aligns with our commitment to intentional development,” he said. “We recognize the importance of investing in projects that meet the needs of our community, and we can’t wait to see these residents thrive in their new homes.”

For more information about the project, visit https://edenhousing.org/properties/mitchell-park-place/.

WHEN:

February 28, 2024, 1 to 3 p.m.

WHERE:

Mitchell Park Place, 525 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, California 94306

PHOTO & VIDEO OPPS:

FINANCIAL PARTNERS:

California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (9% LIHTC and State Credits); California Department of Housing and Community Development and City of Palo Alto (Local Housing Trust Fund and Affordable Housing Fund); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the County of Santa Clara (HOME and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Housing Fund); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers); Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Construction Loan and Equity); Century Housing Corporation (Permanent Loan).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Eden Housing: Birgit Johnston, birgitjohnston@me.com / (408) 656-8025