Mountain View Completes Priority List, Identifies Housing Crisis

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA — City officials completed the last leg of their priority-setting meetings on Tuesday with support from anti-displacement activists who want to increase affordable housing options in the city.

The City Council's top two priorities for the next two years will address housing, including implementation of safe parking programs, declaring a housing emergency and increasing the stock of affordable units.

The priorities are listed as the following: "Promote a Community for All with a focus on Strategies to Protect Vulnerable Populations and Preserve Mountain View's Socioeconomic and Cultural Diversity" and "Improve the Quantity, Diversity, and Affordability of Housing by Providing Opportunities for Subsidized, Middle-Income, and Ownership Housing."

The city has grappled with a severe housing shortage and increasing homelessness in the last few years, along with many major cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. It received immense pushback in December after it authorized the demolition of rent-controlled, naturally occurring affordable units to make way for market-priced townhomes and row houses.

Alex Nunez organized a rally against displacement outside the City Council meeting on Tuesday, and said Wednesday that city councilmembers proved to be considerate and thoughtful in listening to the concerns of vulnerable residents. He said activists will be watching closely to see if the priority-setting translates into action and resources after initial study sessions.

On Tuesday, councilmembers approved another housing development at 777 West Middlefield Road that will result in demolitions of existing affordable housing. Nunez said the project is a step in the right direction, however, because the developer is ensuring city workers and teachers have first dibs on affordable units.

The existing 208 units at the 9.84-acre site will be removed to develop a 715-unit apartment complex. The affordable portion of the complex near Shoreline Boulevard will provide 124 units for Mountain View Whisman School District teachers and up to 20 units for city staff. This will include 19 studio apartments, 87 one-bedroom units and 38 two-bedroom units.

—Bay City News