Housing Authority to Build Affordable Complex in San Jose

A regional housing authority has paid $4.1 million for a lot in Downtown San Jose to build a 103-unit affordable housing complex for seniors, homeless residents and families with special needs.

An affiliate of the Santa Clara County Housing Authority bought the 1.1-acre property at 715 East St. John Street, the San Jose Mercury News reported. The seller of the lot was undisclosed.

Plans for the Hawthorn Senior Apartments include a four-story complex with 103 apartments, including two market-rate units for managers and 101 affordable units.

The affordable apartments will include 20 units for homeless persons and families with special needs, 27 units for seniors who earn up to 30 percent of the area median income and 54 units for senior households earning up to 50 percent of AMI.

The Santa Clara County area median income is $184,300 for a family of four, according to state housing regulators. A 30 percent threshold works out to $56,290; a 50 percent benchmark equals $92,150.

The white and caramel complex, designed by San Francisco-based Paulett Taggart Architects, will include common areas with a shared computer room on the ground floor, and community areas and laundry facilities on the second floor. The building will have an outdoor courtyard, with garden plots for residents.

The project is expected to cost $76.1 million, with $61.6 million in construction financing. A co-developer, if any, was not disclosed.

The Housing Authority expects to break ground this year, or early next year, and complete the project in 2026.

— Dana Bartholomew