Q&A with Eden Housing Project Developer Vasko Yorgov

A: I’ve been with Eden since April 2023. Time has really flown; I feel like it was both yesterday that I started and yet also like I’ve been here for a long time. So far I have led four projects—Mesa Terrace in San Jose, Pacific Station North Apartments in Santa Cruz, Downtown Livermore Apartments  and Oak Grove Apartments in Vacaville.

While I have held similar roles before, Eden is the largest-capacity organization I’ve worked for, and what continues to blow me away is the level of support I receive from coworkers with decades of combined experience at the most senior level—including Linda (Mandolini) who is continuously involved. And yet they also give me the freedom to do my job the way I best see fit.

The organization has an incredible reach that influences state and federal policy, but it also balances this with a personal community-oriented touch. For me that offers the opportunity to volunteer in various capacities and get to know the residents directly, from working at holiday parties and National Night Out celebrations to lease-up events. It doesn’t feel like work, especially when I volunteer at community-facing events, because it’s so nourishing and energizing to see our communities in action and give people hope that they can improve their own lives.

Having lived in apartment buildings my whole life, I can see the difference it makes to have a well-managed and maintained community space, so I know how important our work is.

A: I’ve loved volunteering since high school, whether it was coaching soccer or founding a club that allowed international students to share about their cultures at my school. In college I began to recognize the power of local politics to really get things done, and how housing is the most powerful way to build  and create communities.

I’ve already been involved in Hayward politics and local advocacy as a member of the Hayward Community Coalition, which is a group of local advocates trying to make positive change. Given my experience and background in land use, I wanted to give back to the community in a more direct way, which aligns well with the Planning Commission’s focus on land use. It’s the only non-elected body in the city with the authority to approve projects on behalf of the City Council.

I was first appointed as an alternate, which helped me better understand the Council’s priorities and how they want the city to be shaped. This year, the Council unanimously voted to appoint me to the Planning Commission. I really appreciate the support from my colleagues at Eden as I was applying, including Linda. She and Eden are incredibly respected, and their support was very welcomed. Being on the Planning Commission is a huge honor, and very exciting for me personally since I love “nerding out” about land use.

It feels surreal in some ways, because I get to consider the holistic picture of land use. In my day job, I’m focused on getting projects approved and speaking to planning commissions and city councils (on behalf of Eden). Now I’m seeing other aspects of land use, and how it’s a giant umbrella that includes not just housing but the ability to bring in commercial businesses that will generate revenue so the city can do its work and support its mission.

For most people, the biggest investment they will ever make personally and financially is the place they live, so it’s been exciting to see the passion it instills in people. I realize that making decisions is an incredible responsibility that could affect them and their families for generations. It’s been really humbling being in that position and incredible to have such a voice in representing the community.  Because I took over another Commissioner’s term, I have one year left and then can reapply for up to two more four-year terms.i

A: I always do my research regarding the issues we’re discussing and voting on, and even when my opinion might be different from that of other members, I feel confident in my principles and my understanding of land use.

I also feel I bring a very different perspective as a younger person and a renter living downtown, and also as the only one on the Commission who works in affordable housing. I think it’s important to bring in mixed-use and transit-oriented developments and make Hayward more walkable, which in turn will make it more vibrant.

The easier and more flexible we can make Hayward’s zoning, the better, and I’m really open to some of the creative ideas staff is exploring. For example, staff has proposed expanding the concept of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to also consider accessory commercial units, which would make it easier for someone to start a business in their home in certain parts of Hayward. I’m very supportive of flexible and creative ideas like this.

A: Well, spare time can be a bit fluid when you’re a project developer, but I love spending time with family and friends. I still volunteer; just recently I made a presentation at a middle school college fair about my work.

I’m a big soccer fan, specifically of Manchester United, so I meet up with a supporter club called Red Army San Francisco, with whom I watch games as early as 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. local time. I also love exploring the area for cool shops and community spaces. I’m taking Spanish classes on the side because my partner’s family is Mexican, so I’m looking forward to teasing them in Spanish like they tease me!