72-Unit Affordable Housing Project Slated for 15101 Washington Avenue

In July, 2021, the San Leandro City Council unanimously approved the allocation of $7 million in public affordable housing dollars toward a forthcoming residential development project at 15101 Washington Avenue, near Greenhouse Marketplace.

Known as Washington Avenue Apartments, the project is being developed by Abode Communities, which was selected by the City through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP). Abode Communities is an experienced housing developer, owner, and operator with more than 50 affordable/supportive properties developed throughout California.

The 1.19-acre, 72-unit development is slated to feature three studio apartments, 33 one-bedroom apartments, as well as 18 two- and three-bedroom apartments. Twenty-two (22) of these units are allocated for family households experiencing homelessness. The project will offer 73 parking spaces and ample long- and short-term bicycle parking. Residents will enjoy onsite amenities, such as complimentary social services, an outdoor play area for children, a communal laundry area, and onsite property management.

The development aims to accommodate one-person households with an income between $20,000 and $50,000 up to four-person households with a combined income between $28,560 and $71,400. This project makes use of $3.5 million from the Golden State Acquisition Fund. It is also the fourth San Leandro development to receive 2016 Measure A-1 Affordable Housing Bond measure funds specifically designated for San Leandro (approx. $5 million, from a total City allocation of approx. $11 million). The City is committing approximately $1.65 million from the Low/Mod Housing Asset Fund derived from assets of the former Redevelopment Agency, as well as around $350,000 from the California Housing and Community Development Department’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation derived from the Building Homes and Jobs Act (SB). All of these funds will be leveraged to complete the $48 million project.

Abode Communities anticipates breaking ground on the currently vacant one-acre lot in late 2023, with full occupancy by year-end 2024.

This project is the fourth affordable housing project with City financial support over the past decade, and contributes toward the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).  The RHNA goals reflect the fair share of housing units that each city and county in California must build every eight years for very low income (<50% of Area Median Income), low income (50-80% of Area Median Income), moderate income (81-120% of Area Median Income), and market rate households (>120% of Area Median Income and/or without any long-term regulatory agreement). Several other housing projects in San Leandro are also contributing to meeting the City’s RHNA, with a current count of 132 very low-income residential housing units, 126 low- income units, and 136 market-rate units already constructed or underway.