Milpitas Uphill Battle : Milpitas, faced with the mandate to add over 6,700 homes by 2031, with more than half being below market rate, is navigating the challenges of funding and preservation in its affordable housing journey. At a recent panel discussion hosted by San José Spotlight, experts emphasized that funding is the foremost barrier to achieving this goal, echoing the sentiments of Milpitas Councilmember Anthony Phan who highlighted the pivotal role of money in the equation.
Panelists, including housing and transportation policy director Huascar Castro and Silicon Valley at Home Policy Director Mathew Reed, delved into the complexities of financing affordable housing projects. They stressed the significance of local match funding and the potential for cities to ease the process by revising zoning restrictions.
One notable partnership in the works involves the Milpitas Unified School District, which is working on a development project to provide school district workforce housing. Addressing the issue of rent burden, with 40% of Milpitas renters allocating over a third of their income to rent, the city is exploring tenant protections to safeguard vulnerable residents from displacement and homelessness.
Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the need for partnerships to preserve existing affordable housing and support tenants. Collaborations with nonprofit organizations and developers, such as the renewal of the contract for the Sunnyhills Apartments, which houses a significant portion of the city’s affordable housing stock, are crucial in the effort to secure affordable housing options for the community.
In the face of a housing crisis and the risk of losing existing affordable homes, Milpitas grapples with the multifaceted challenges of funding and preservation as it strives to meet the state’s affordable housing requirements.”
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Our Reader’s Queries
How many homeless people are in Milpitas CA?
Milpitas is home to 274 homeless residents, as per the county’s 2022 point-in-time count. However, this number is believed to be an undercount. The city has been criticized in the past for not providing enough support to its unhoused population.
When was Milpitas built?
Back in 1852, Michael Hughes, an Irish settler, constructed the initial redwood-framed house in Milpitas. Following this, the first school was established, and by 1857, the town had a hotel, general store, and post office.