The Lafayette City Council has approved plans for a new affordable housing development in downtown Lafayette aimed at supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
During a meeting Monday night, councilmembers unanimously backed a proposal from nonprofit developers Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates to construct a four-story, 48-unit residential building. The project will be built on a city-owned parking lot located at 949 Moraga Road, with the city contributing the land as part of its broader effort to expand affordable housing opportunities.
Mayor Carl Anduri praised the development, noting its central location and accessibility. City officials say the site places future residents within walking distance of shops, restaurants, the Bay Area Rapid Transit station, the local library and other downtown amenities.
Plans for the development include 27 one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units designated as below-market-rate housing, along with a three-bedroom unit for an on-site manager. The building will also feature shared amenities such as a fitness area, teaching kitchen, resident lounges, laundry facilities, bike storage and outdoor courtyards.
The project is specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Under the development agreement, SAHA will manage the property, while Sunflower Hill will provide resident programming and supportive services.
The project team also includes Pyatok as the lead architect and Sunseri Construction, which will oversee construction. City leaders say the development represents a significant step toward addressing the need for supportive and affordable housing options in Lafayette.
Holy Smokes!! Lafayette sure has changed since I grew up there in the 50s and 60s!! …. mostly for the worse. It takes 1/2 hour or more to drive from one end to the other end of town. Way overpriced homes and way too much Highrise Housing.
The city gives away some property, does the operator ever have to pay them back? ” SAHA will manage the property, while Sunflower Hill will provide resident programming and supportive services.” I don’t think they are doing this for free.
WC—Creeker,
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No, I don’t believe the nonprofit developers, Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, will ever have to payback the City of Lafayette for the value of the property that the city donated for the project.
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In 2018, the City of Concord made $14 million available to affordable housing nonprofit developers and allocated $7.8 million to Resources for Community Development for construction of a 62-unit affordable housing development on Galindo Street.
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Back in 2024, the Concord City Council presented a grant of $1 million from the State of California, which was arranged by then crooked, corrupt, lying, cheating, preacher Assemblyman and current State Senator Tim Grayson to Concord based DeNova Homes’ Yellow Roof Foundation. Last year one of the founders of DeNova Homes and his son who worked for the company were indicted for attempting to bribe an Antioch City Councilmember.
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/judge-federal-bribery-case-against-contra-costa-county-homebuilders-to-proceed-to-trial-in-2027/ar-AA1XGFs4
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I don’t think government should be in the business of funding nonprofits and NGOs for anything.
An apartment building at below-market rates in Lafayette would be a luxury building in many other places.
Imagine the riff-raff it will draw.
Why, people could move in who earn only $1.5 milion and drive two-year-old cars.
The folks who got leaf blowers banned will be up in arms.
Why, those poor folks moving in might even smoke.
Lafayette will turn into something like Concord, ugh, with worse traffic and parking.
Smart, this is the new way around having to build unwanted affordable housing, do it for the disabled or elderly, keeps the community safe and satisfies CA’s crazy housing requirements put on cities.