FAQS - 965 WEEKS STREET

Frequently Asked Questions

Affordable Housing

What is affordable housing?

A home is generally considered affordable if a household pays 30% or less of their gross income (before taxes are taken out) towards rent. The term usually refers to homes affordable to people with low, very low and extremely low incomes, including low-wage working individuals and families, seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and people with disabilities. It is anticipated that future rents at any MidPen community will be regulated so that they are affordable compared to other unrestricted rental communities in the area.

How is a household defined?

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) defines a household as, “All the people who occupy a housing unit. A household includes the related family members and all the unrelated people”.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

In order to qualify for affordable housing, a household must typically earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The Area Median Income is published annually each year by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and varies depending on the number of people in the household and the County.

Architectural Design

HOW WILL THE BUILDING LOOK AESTHETICALLY?

The building(s) appearance has yet to be determined.

WHAT IS THE BUILDING'S SCALE & MASSING?

According to the General Plan, the site is zoned for high density residential with a maximum allowable height is 5 stories and 60 feet.

wHAT IS THE PROPOSED UNIT MIX?

The proposed project will include a range of unit types from studios to 4 bedrooms.

WILL GREEN SPACE BE INTEGRATED INTO THE DESIGN?

A minimum of 100 square feet of open space is required, the proposed project will substantially exceed this amount.

ARE THERE ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS?

A definitive answers is not available yet. Environmental review will take place within the next 6 months and upon completion, results will be publicly available.

HOW MUCH PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SITE?

The project will be parked in accordance with current zoning code.

0 bedrooms or studio apartment - 1 space per unit
1 bedroom - 1.5 spaces per unit
2 bedrooms - 1.8 spaces per unit
3 bedrooms or more - 2 spaces per unit
Guest parking spaces – 0.2 spaces per unit

Funding & Local Hire

HOW IS THE PROJECT BEING FUNDED?

The project will be funded with a combination of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, County, State, and local funding sources.

WILL PART OF FACEBOOK'S $20 MILLION ALLOCATION BE USED TO FUND PART OF THIS PROJECT?

The project will be funding in part with Catalyst Funds (Facebook money), these funds are part of the local financing contribution to the development.

IS THE CITY LEASING LAND TO MIDPEN?

There will be a 99 year ground lease with EPA CAN DO and MidPen.

WILL THERE BE A LOCAL HIRE PREFERENCE?

EPA CAN DO and MidPen will comply with all local hire requirements.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCAL HIRE PREFERENCE?

The City is responsible for rules related to local hire.

www.ci.east-palo-alto.ca.us/documentcenter/view/55

Resident Services

WHAT ARE THE SERVICES OFFERED TO RESIDENTS?

For adults

Financial Literacy Program
Vocational Development (career counseling, ESL, tuition assistance)

For Youth

Afterschool / Summer Programs
Leadership Skills ( community beautification & career exploration)

For Special Needs

Functional Assessment to assist with sustaining independence
Cognitive and Behavioral modification to help cope with prior trauma

For All

Health and Wellness – food distribution programs, health screenings, insurance enrollment
Referrals and Care Coordination – health care providers, case workers, community services
Quality of Life – field trips events fostering community

WILL SERVICES BE OFFERED TO NON-RESIDENTS?

If our programs are not filled by residents, they will be open to non-residents.

WILL RESIDENTS OF EPA RECEIVE HOUSING PRIORITY?

EPA CAN DO and MidPen are working to ensure the maximum number of units have a local preference.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON APPLYING?

https://www.midpen-housing.org/find-housing

Property Management

Does MidPen typically have one year leases for their Apartments?

Yes, MidPen requires a one year lease for the first year and then depending on the property’s regulatory requirements, the leases can transition to month to month.

what is the occupancy per bedroom FOR APARTMENTS?

MidPen’s current occupancy standards are as follows:

Studio 1-2 people
1 Bedroom           1-3 people
2 Bedroom           2-5 people
3 Bedroom           3-7 people
4 Bedroom 4-9 people

Other more restrictive occupancy standards may also apply pursuant to regulatory/program requirements.

What is the average occupancy of one, two and three-bedroom apartments at midpen PROPERTIES?

The average occupancy is in line with the current occupancy standards.

is rent based on family size and income?

The rent for each apartment is primarily determined by the Area's Median Income (AMI) published annually by San Mateo County.
The Federal Government takes the average household size and AMI, as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),to determine rents for different household income ranges and sizes.

how long can a resident live at the property? what happens if income increases during tenancy?

A tenant can live in their apartment indefinitely as long as they abide by the terms of their lease, which includes a number of house rules for the property. If a household’s income increases after moving in, the household is not required to move out. In this situation, MidPen would increase the household’s rent, however, the increase would be restricted by funding requirements

Can residents sublease their unit?

No, subleasing would be considered a violation of the lease terms.

are residents required to requalify if changing units within the same property?

Yes, they would need to re-qualify in order to ensure that the household does not exceed the income limit or household size

How DOES midpen ensure that PROPRIETIES are maintained? who is responsible for maintenance and who pays for it?

MidPen’s professional Property Management team, including an onsite property manager and maintenance technician take pride in maintaining the properties and being good neighbors. Each property has an operating budget that includes payroll for property management staff and other maintenance expenses.

How will residents Safety be insured?

Our professional onsite community manager ensures that residents and guests of residents comply with all lease terms and rules, including a crime free addendum. Our professional maintenance staff maintains repairs to the units, buildings and common areas.

Are residents required to notify property management about guests?

Under the terms of MidPen’s lease, a tenant may have a guest stay at their apartment for no more than 7 consecutive days and no more than 21 days in a calendar year.

Will veterans be granted housing preference?

Currently, we are not proposing a preference for veterans, but that does not exclude a veteran from applying to a property.

are residents protected from rent increases?

Regulatory requirements mandate that rents be kept at or below the maximum rent limits set by HUD and prescribed for each unit. We also follow all local and state requirements in regards to rent increases and rent increase notices. Rent increases are necessary to help offset the cost of maintaining the apartment building, units and common areas.