Mitchell Park Place Redefines Affordable Housing Near Park

Santa Clara County and Eden Housing opened Mitchell Park Place in Palo Alto on May 8, adding 50 affordable homes at 525 E. Charleston Road near Mitchell Park. The four-story mixed-use development is fully occupied, according to the county and Eden Housing. Half of the apartments are set aside for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and AbilityPath will provide services from offices inside the building. County officials said the project was built on county-owned land with support from city, county, state and private financing partners. ### Why is this project getting attention now? May 8 was the public grand opening for Mitchell Park Place, after construction began in January 2024 and leasing filled the building, according to Eden Housing. The opening brought together County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, Palo Alto Mayor Vicki Veenker, AbilityPath Chief Executive Bryan Neider, San Andreas Regional Center Executive Director Javier Zaldivar and other housing officials and elected leaders. (edenhousing.org) The location has drawn attention because the building sits a block from Mitchell Park, the Mitchell Park Community Center and Library, and the Magical Bridge Playground, county and Eden Housing materials said. Eden Housing described the site as a mixed-use project combining affordable apartments with service space intended to support residents in daily living. (edenhousing.org) ### How many homes are there, and who are they for? Mitchell Park Place contains 50 affordable homes for lower-income households earning at or below 60% of area median income, Eden Housing said. Santa Clara County said 25 of those homes are reserved for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (edenhousing.org) Santa Clara County broke out the affordability mix in more detail: 16 units are for people with disabilities earning up to 30% of area median income, nine are for people with disabilities earning up to 40%, and 24 are for households earning between 50% and 60%. The county’s accounting indicates one remaining unit is part of the total unit mix but was not described in the summary release; Eden Housing separately described the project as 50 affordable homes. (edenhousing.org) ### What makes Mitchell Park Place different from a standard apartment building? AbilityPath has office space on the ground floor and will provide services to residents, according to Santa Clara County and Eden Housing. The nonprofit supports people with disabilities and their families, and county officials said the on-site presence is meant to help residents live more independently. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) Eden Housing said the building also includes an outdoor courtyard with planters for fruits and vegetables and is GreenPoint Platinum-rated. The project materials describe nearly 2,800 square feet for AbilityPath offices and more than 14,600 square feet for common areas and supportive facilities. ### Who paid for it? Santa Clara County said it contributed $12 million to Mitchell Park Place, including $11 million designated for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and $1 million from the federal HOME Investments Partnership Program. (edenhousing.org) The county also supplied the land for the project. (sfyimby.com) Eden Housing listed additional funding partners including the City of Palo Alto, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, the Local Housing Trust Fund, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wells Fargo Bank, Century Housing Corporation and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. (edenhousing.org) ### What are officials and residents saying about it? County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga called the development “the best of Santa Clara County” in a county release and credited former Supervisor Joe Simitian with helping drive the effort. County Chief Operating Officer Greta Hansen said the project showed the impact of collaboration to increase affordable housing and support inclusion. (edenhousing.org) The county release also identified resident Gabi Dedek as one of the new tenants at Mitchell Park Place. Palo Alto Online reported in December that tenants were beginning to move in as the building neared full occupancy, underscoring that the May event marked a public opening after leasing had already advanced. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) ### What happens next around Mitchell Park Place? As of May 2026, Mitchell Park Place is fully occupied, according to Eden Housing and Santa Clara County. Future updates are likely to come from Eden Housing, Santa Clara County and Palo Alto housing coverage as AbilityPath begins delivering on-site services for residents at 525 E. Charleston Road. (edenhousing.org) (news.santaclaracounty.gov)