Eden Updates, Media Alerts

Grand Re-Opening Celebration for Renovated Light Tree Apartments on May 12, During Affordable Housing Month

May 9, 2023

– The East Palo Alto development provides 185 affordable homes for low-income families, formerly homeless and foster youth, and individuals with developmental disabilities –

What: Eden Housing and EPA CAN DO, in partnership with the City of East Palo Alto and leading affordable housing advocates, will host the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting celebration of the recent expansion and newly renovated Light Tree Apartments, doubling the number of affordable homes that previously existed on this site. The celebration will take place during the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County’s Affordable Housing Month in May, and will welcome local, county and state officials to tour the 128 recently constructed and 57 renovated apartments and townhomes.

The Light Tree Apartments provide safe and comfortable homes for low-income families, former foster youth and individuals with disabilities. The community features a range of amenities, including shared outdoor space, a basketball half‐court, a play structure, a community garden and laundry rooms; as well as key offerings to residents such as onsite case management, free SamTrans bus passes and a bike clinic made possible in part by a $6 million Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Round 4 grant.

When: Friday, May 12, 2023, 11:00 a.m.

Where: 1805 East Bayshore Road, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Photo and Video Ops: Special guests and speakers include:

About Light Tree Apartments

The Light Tree Apartments were originally constructed in 1966. With vacant land becoming increasingly rare in densely populated cities throughout the Peninsula, the redevelopment of Light Tree Apartments was a pioneering project to develop new ways of adding low-income housing to Eden’s existing affordable housing portfolio. Upon completion, the renovated Light Tree Apartments will nearly double the number of affordable homes from 94-apartments to 185 units on this 3-acre plot.

Funding for Light Tree Apartments: City of East Palo Alto, County of San Mateo, County of San Mateo Housing Authority, U.S. Bank, Chase, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), California Department of Housing and Community Development, California Strategic Growth Council, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, California, Debt Limit Allocation Committee, California Housing Finance Agency, California Department of Developmental Services, Golden Gate Regional Center and LISC – Catalyst Fund.

Community and service sponsors for Light Tree Apartments: SamTrans, Housing Choices, Live in Peace Bikes, San Mateo County Behavioral and Health Recovery Services and EPACENTER Arts.

ABOUT EDEN HOUSING

Eden Housing is a non-profit organization with 55 years of experience providing safe and affordable housing that helps families stay secure, allows communities to thrive, and solves many of the most pressing housing challenges facing California cities. Since its inception, the Bay Area-based organization has developed more than 10,000 affordable homes and is a leader in making its residential communities environmentally sustainable and efficient through integrating energy conservation. Eden is also known as a champion of housing policy advocacy at the local, state, and national level, supporting practices that both create and preserve affordable housing for diverse communities. Learn more at www.edenhousing.org.

Media Contact:

Birgit Johnston
Johnston Communications for Eden Housing
(408) 656 8025, birgitjohnston@me.com