As San Mateo County continues to try and meet state-mandated housing targets, developers broke ground recently on two new projects in North Fair Oaks and Daly City.
Located just off Middlefield Road in North Fair Oaks, the Monarch at Redwood will feature studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including one for an on-site manager. Forty-six units are reserved for income-qualified households, with rents based on a percentage of household income.
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According to San Mateo County, the $70.4 million project is supported by nearly $21 million in loans from the Affordable Housing Fund, which is funded by Measure K sales tax revenue, federal pandemic relief dollars, the Mental Health Services Act and the state’s Housing for a Healthy California program.
The county said the San Mateo County Housing Authority will also provide 24 project-based vouchers to ensure ongoing rental assistance.
Residents will have access to a variety of supportive services, including job training, career development, and health and wellness programs. Service coordinators from the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County will be on-site to assist residents with medical or mental health challenges.
The project follows a fire last year that destroyed a nearby affordable housing complex, delaying the construction of over 100 affordable-rate units. The complex is now being rebuilt. County fire officials said the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.
“Our goal with Monarch is to strengthen North Fair Oaks by providing housing and support that allow residents to stay close to friends, schools, and local businesses, keeping the heart of the community vibrant and inclusive,” said Jimmy Silverwood, president of Affirmed Housing, the project’s developer.
San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, a former East Palo Alto councilmember who represents the area, called the project a model for collaboration at last week’s groundbreaking, which was attended by housing advocates, community members and local leaders.
“In a region where affordability is becoming increasingly rare, this project shows what’s possible when the county, community and development partners come together with shared values and purpose,” Gauthier said.
The county is expected to approve 2,833 new housing units in areas under its jurisdiction to meet state-mandated targets, including 811 units for very low-income households.
The Chester will bring 214 residential units and new retail to Daly City’s Westlake Shopping Center. (Illustration courtesy of Bozzuto)
In Daly City, developers Bozzuto and Kimco Realty started construction on The Chester at Westlake, a 214-unit mixed-use project they describe as Daly City’s first “major predominantly market-rate apartment community in the area in more than 15 years.”
Set to open in winter 2027, the project will add 214 residential units to the Westlake Shopping Center, along with nearly 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The complex will offer studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments – about 70% of the units will include a private balcony or terrace. Residents will also have access to more than 13,000 square feet of amenities, according to the developer.
The development, located at 99 Southgate Ave., is less than a mile from the coast and near Interstate 280 and BART.
Developers say the project aims to revitalize Westlake’s role as a community hub while supporting Daly City’s growth. The city must build 4,383 housing units by 2031 to meet state housing goals.
San Mateo County, one of the most expensive places to live in the nation, is among several Bay Area jurisdictions facing increased scrutiny from state housing regulators. Counties and cities that fail to meet their state-approved housing plans, known as the housing element, risk losing funding or triggering the “builder’s remedy,” a measure that allows developers to bypass local zoning laws if their projects include enough affordable units.