San Jose’s Housing Project Targets People with Disabilities

The real estate project along Mary Avenue could bring about 40 affordable apartments to the city

A two-story affordable housing development is on the way to bringing 40 apartments to adults with developmental disabilities and low-income residents in Cupertino on a narrow strip of land on Mary Avenue.

The project along Mary Avenue could bring about 40 affordable apartments to the city in a unique mix — 19 apartments designated for adults and families with children who have developmental disabilities and 20 for low-income residents. The two-story project is slated for a narrow, roughly 0.79 acres of underused city-owned property next to Highway 85, and will cut into parts of the street to accommodate the complex. Advocates said it’s a good first step in a city lacking accessible housing for the disabled community.

The real estate project is a collaboration between Cupertino, Ko Architects, affordable housing developer Charities Housing and nonprofits West Valley Community Services, Housing Choices for People with Developmental Disabilities and Rotary Club of Cupertino Housing Corporation. The Cupertino City Council has to approve the development’s lease, but if all goes well, construction could start November 2026 and finish by late 2027. The funding is still undetermined, but will likely come from the city, county and state.

The project is a great opportunity to build some affordable housing, especially for people with developmental disabilities who grew up in Cupertino and deserve the right to stay near their resources, stay near their families and not be displaced out of their city.

Gia Pham, Spokesperson, Housing Choices 

Housing Choices, which supports and creates affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities, will provide case management. Spokesperson Gia Pham said the nonprofit has seen people with disabilities become homeless after their parents die, leaving them without care. She said fewer than 11 Cupertino residents with developmental disabilities live in their own apartment.

“The project is a great opportunity to build some affordable housing, especially for people with developmental disabilities who grew up in Cupertino and deserve the right to stay near their resources, stay near their families and not be displaced out of their city,” she said.

The project started roughly 15 years ago, when the Rotary Club proposed turning the land into affordable older adult housing, but was denied by the presiding City Council. But in February, council members unanimously approved an exclusive one-year negotiation period between the city and developers.

The housing development will add to Cupertino’s affordable real estate market. The city is close to state approval of its housing plan and has several affordable housing projects in the works, including the former Vallco Mall site. Mayor Sheila Mohan said she supports more affordable housing citywide. “This is one more indication that the city is doing everything it can to provide housing options to people in all segments of our society and our community,” she said.