The County of Santa Clara and its partners recently celebrated the groundbreaking for La Bella, a new affordable housing development located in Mountain View. This project is set to deliver 108 units of affordable housing, addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness, low-income individuals and families, and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The development, situated at 1020 Terra Bella Ave., represents a key effort to expand housing options in the region.
La Bella will include a variety of housing types. Specifically, 27 units are designated for Rapid Rehousing for unhoused residents. Another 69 units will serve people earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI), while 10 units are set aside for low-income individuals with disabilities. Additionally, two units will be provided for property managers. The County of Santa Clara is contributing $10.5 million in funding to the project. This amount includes $8.5 million from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond, which was approved by county voters in 2016, along with an additional $2 million specifically allocated to support people with disabilities.
This development is part of a broader county-wide initiative to increase affordable housing availability across Santa Clara County, impacting communities including San Jose. Since the passage of the Measure A bond, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has approved approximately $747 million for 65 multifamily rental housing developments across 12 cities within the county. More than half of these projects are already operational. In Mountain View, about $67 million in affordable housing bond funds have been awarded to six developments, collectively providing over 540 units. La Bella marks the second project in Mountain View funded by this bond to begin construction this year.
The realization of La Bella was made possible through a land exchange agreement between developer Alta Housing and the neighboring Public Storage, which allowed both entities to reconfigure their properties for redevelopment. County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, representing District 5, commented on her involvement, stating that as a former Mountain View City Council member, she worked with Alta Housing and Public Storage to maximize the affordable housing opportunity on the parcel. As a County Supervisor, Abe-Koga expressed pride in the $10.5 million commitment from the Board of Supervisors, noting that $8.5 million originated from the voter-approved 2016 Measure A funds. She highlighted that the project demonstrates what is possible when public agencies, private partners, and nonprofit organizations collaborate with a shared commitment to expanding affordable housing.
County Executive James R. Williams noted the County’s continuing vital role in investing in affordable housing projects across the community, particularly as housing costs continue to rise across the region. Williams acknowledged the City of Mountain View as a crucial partner in increasing the supply of affordable housing in North County, contributing to the delivery of needed homes for families and improving residents’ quality of life. The La Bella development is planned to include several amenities for residents, such as a community room, bicycle storage, and rooftop solar panels. The site is located in a former industrial area that is currently transitioning to high-density residential housing, offering good access to public transit, employment centers, shopping, and community amenities.
Mountain View Mayor Emily Ann Ramos also emphasized the power of collaboration, stating that La Bella serves as a strong example of what can be accomplished when the City, affordable housing partners, and the private sector work together and think creatively about land use. Mayor Ramos extended gratitude to Alta Housing and Public Storage for their land swap and donation, which facilitated a larger site and effectively doubled the potential number of affordable homes. She thanked all local, state, and federal partners who contributed to this achievement, expressing enthusiasm for Mountain View becoming a community where people of all incomes can call home. This project is also part of a memorandum of understanding between the County and the City of Mountain View to construct 200 units of Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing for unhoused individuals in the city, with nearly 180 units funded and approximately 100 already built.
