The Gateway Palms affordable housing project off Fourth Street
is about 10 weeks from completion, while the waiting list is
growing for those hoping to rent an apartment there, the architect
said.
The Gateway Palms affordable housing project off Fourth Street is about 10 weeks from completion, while the waiting list is growing for those hoping to rent an apartment there, the architect said.
Gateway Palms is set to provide 32 apartment homes for low- and very low-income residents on the 1-1/2 acre development at Fourth Street and Westside Boulevard.
Officials in March held a groundbreaking for the apartments developed by local nonprofit organization South County Housing. Hollister’s Huboi Architecture has handled the design. The city’s redevelopment agency is contributing $3.6 million of the estimated $6 million cost for the 32 units. The builder expected construction to last around eight months, depending on cooperation from the weather.
“We’re getting close,” architect David Huboi said, adding how builders are finishing the outside and working on such other items as sheet rock and installing appliances. “We’re about 10 weeks before we can call it complete.”
The rental apartments will serve residents with incomes no greater than 30 percent to 50 percent of “Area Median Income,” according to the developers. This amounts to roughly $19,470 to $32,450 for a two-person household and $24,350 to $40,550 for a four-person household. Rents will range from between $389 for a one-studio apartment to $530 to $952 for three bedrooms, with prices determined by income level.
Huboi said that the last time he checked about a month ago, there had been a waiting list for apartments of around 300 people.
“I’m very sensitive to that, especially when you’re doing a green project,” Huboi said.
The buildings are designed with six-inch exterior walls and cellulose insulation, an energy-efficient building envelope that is intended to minimize use of fossil fuels and lower the operating costs. The project will incorporate solar panels to meet some of the electrical and water heating needs.
Besides the RDA, funds were also obtained from the State of California Housing and Community Development Department and federal low-income housing tax credit investors. Rural Community Assistance Corporation is providing a construction loan, and tax-credit equity is being provided by Alliant Capital.
“I’ve gotten so many people that have given me positive feedback regarding it,” he said.
For information on the apartments, call South County Housing at (408) 842-9181.
