San Carlos officially broke ground this week on Cherry Street Commons, a long-awaited affordable housing project that will deliver 33 income-restricted homes by late 2026. Located at 1244 Cherry Street, the five-story development will be the city’s first 100% affordable, family-focused housing complex —15 years in the making.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew city officials, nonprofit developers, financial partners, and federal representatives, all highlighting the urgency and challenges of affordable housing in the Bay Area. Among the attendees were U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, San Carlos Mayor Sara McDowell, Eden Housing CEO Linda Mandolini, and HIP Housing Executive Director Kate Comfort Harr.
“This has been a long road,” said Comfort Harr. “Even with experienced partners, committed city leadership, and strong funding support, it still took 15 years. That tells you how tough building affordable housing really is.”
A Major Step Forward for San Carlos
The $42.1 million development, led by Eden Housing and HIP Housing, will be built on a 0.32-acre infill site that combines a former office building, a six-unit apartment complex, and a vacant city-owned lot. When completed, Cherry Street Commons will provide one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for households earning between 30% and 60% of San Mateo County’s area median income.
“This is one of the largest investments in affordable housing in the history of our city,” said Mayor McDowell, referring to the city’s $12.8 million contribution from its Affordable Housing Fund. “We are proud to be part of a project that puts families first.”
The project will include nine two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom units, making it uniquely family-oriented. Residents will be located within walking distance of Laurel Street’s shops and restaurants, as well as the San Carlos Caltrain Station.
Designed with Community in Mind
Cherry Street Commons will feature a Mediterranean-style design to blend with the San Carlos neighborhood. Amenities will include a podium-top courtyard, children’s play area, rooftop deck, community room with a kitchen and media center, and on-site laundry. The building will also support alternative transportation, offering 21 EV-ready parking spots, 20 long-term bicycle spaces, 8 scooter spots, and a fix-it station.
Utility infrastructure upgrades will be part of the development, including re-aligning a public alley, relocating and undergrounding overhead lines, and enhancing the pedestrian experience with new sidewalks, planters, and trees.
“This is more than housing—it’s a foundation for working families who are essential to our economy and our community,” said Comfort Harr. “We’re talking about teachers, postal workers, bank tellers, mechanics—people who should be able to live where they work.”
Cherry Street Commons Plans from Van Metter Williams Pollack
Support from All Levels
Congressman Kevin Mullin emphasized the need for expanded federal tax credit programs to fund similar projects and praised the collaboration behind Cherry Street Commons.
“It’s proof of what’s possible when cities and nonprofits team up to meet the basic needs of our region,” Mullin said. “We need more of this—and we need it now.”
District representatives for State Senator Josh Becker and Assemblymember Diane Papan also attended to show support for the development and reaffirm the state’s push for more housing in high-cost regions like San Mateo County.
What’s Next
Demolition of the previous structures is complete, and construction is expected to take under two years. Eden and HIP Housing aim to welcome new residents by the end of 2026. One unit will be reserved for on-site management.
Once completed, Cherry Street Commons will more than quintuple the number of affordable homes currently on the site—a major step in meeting the city’s state-mandated housing targets.
As Mayor McDowell put it, “I can’t wait to see it full of families putting down roots in our City of Good Living.”
Project Snapshot: Cherry Street Commons
- Location: 1244 Cherry Street, San Carlos, CA
- Completion Target: Late 2026
- Units: 33 affordable apartments (1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom)
- Target Residents: Households earning 30–60% of San Mateo County AMI
- Total Cost: $42.1 million
- Developers: Eden Housing & HIP Housing
- Architect: Van Meter Williams Pollack
- Contractor: Echelcon, Inc.
- Unit Features: Air Conditioning, appliances, internet access, carpet & vinyl flooring, electric stove & range, refrigerator
- Shared Features: All-electric, rooftop solar, EV-ready parking, bike and scooter storage, laundry area
- Extras: Tot lot, community room, upgraded streetscape and pedestrian zone
Resources:
- “Cherry Street Commons” Eden Housing Website
- “Cherry Street Commons” City of San Carlos Website
- “Groundbreaking for Cherry Street Commons Affordable Housing in San Carlos, San Mateo County”, SF YIMBY
- Hip Housing Instagram
- “San Carlos breaks ground on affordable housing” The Daily Journal
- Van Metter Williams Pollack Official Website
For More News
For more of what’s happening in and around San Carlos, please visit San Carlos Life Blog
About the Authors
Mark Martinho and Vivienne Kelvin are the hosts of San Carlos Life and have been residents of San Carlos for years. While running San Carlos Life together with an awesome team, Mark and Viv are also in the business of real estate. They are co-owners of Vabrato Real Estate, a luxury real estate brokerage serving the City of Good Living, and the whole of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
With over 30 years of combined experience in the business and 95% of their clients coming in from referrals, Mark and Viv take great pride and joy in exceeding your expectations.
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