160 new affordable homes are on the way for East San Jose

September 10, 2025

City and County leaders join Community Development Partners to break ground

San Jose, CA., Sept. 10, 2025 —Leaders from the City of San José and County of Santa Clara, along with a host of partners,  gathered today in East San Jose’s Alum Rock neighborhood to break ground on 160 affordable apartment homes that will bring much-needed housing to the community.

The five-story Fielden development, located at 525 North Capitol Ave., will provide a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for longtime and low-income residents, helping to address the city’s shortage of affordable housing. Community members earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI) will be eligible — equivalent to $117,120 for a family of four.

Of the 160 apartments, more than one-third (52) will be designated for residents who face the greatest barriers to affording the area’s high market-rate rents, including formerly and chronically homeless individuals (15 units), homeless veterans (25), and individuals and families living with disabilities (12). The Fielden is scheduled to open in June 2027.

Community Development Partners (CDP) is developing The Fielden with substantial contributions from the County of Santa Clara and the City of San José, from voter-approved funds dedicated to creating housing for the community’s lowest-income and most vulnerable residents.

The County provided $8 million for the project, including $4 million from the $950 million Measure A Affordable Housing Bond, which was approved by county voters in 2016. The County has approved 63 projects with Measure A funds that will total roughly 6,600 housing units, far exceeding the County’s original goal of 4,800 units.

“We’re thrilled to see that low-income families, veterans, and former homeless neighbors will have a permanent home with 160 units of studios to three-bedroom apartments at 525 N. Capitol,” said Board President and District 3 Supervisor Otto Lee. “This project truly shows what’s possible when communities work together to meet the urgent housing needs of our region.”

In 2020, San Jose voters approved Measure E, a property transfer tax increase, to pay for new affordable housing.

“We’re ending unsheltered homelessness by building a spectrum of solutions — from emergency shelter to interim housing, and long-term affordable housing like The Fielden, with help from organizations like Community Development Partners,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “When this project is finished, it will represent another critical rung on the ladder that helps San José residents climb out of homelessness and into stability.”

A deep network of local partners is helping bring The Fielden to life, including Abode Services, lead services provider; Housing Choices Coalition for Persons with Development Disabilities Inc. and San Andreas Regional Center, which together will support residents with developmental disabilities; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Veggielution, a local nonprofit that promotes food justice and security.

“Projects like The Fielden show what’s possible when local partners come together around a shared vision,” said CDP President Kyle Paine. “Together, we’re not just responding to today’s housing challenges — we’re investing in a stronger future for San Jose residents.”

The Fielden’s name (“of the fields”) and partnership with Veggielution recognize the rich agricultural history of East San Jose, once home to thriving orchards and farmland, as well as the community’s need for greater access to affordable, fresh, healthy food. Veggielution is a six-acre farm in San Jose that mobilizes volunteers to grow healthy fruits and vegetables and make them available to local residents. The nonprofit’s involvement is still taking shape but may include operating a kitchen space where residents participate in meal-prep training programs or select local produce from an on-site farm stand/food pantry.

The 42,253 square-foot building, located on a nearly 1-acre lot, will include a lobby and common area, bike parking, car parking, a shared outdoor courtyard and a community kitchen space. The Fielden is CDP’s first development in San Jose; the company is also at work on a second housing community in nearby Fremont.

Development and financing

The Fielden was designed by David Baker Architects and is being built by CDP Builders in partnership with Cahill Contractors. FPI Management will provide property management. Abode Services will provide on-site resident services, including classes and programs for all residents in arts and creativity, health and wellness, lifelong learning and intergenerational connections.

The project is financed through a combination of tax-exempt bonds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and funding from local, state and federal sources. This includes construction and land financing from the City of San José Measure E fund, Measure A and I/DD funding from the County of Santa Clara, an Infill Infrastructure Grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and support through the Community Placement Plan and Community Resource Development Plan Priorities from the California Department of Developmental Services. First Citizens Bank is providing the construction loan, Citi is the permanent lender and CREA, LLC is serving as the equity investor.

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About Community Development Partners

Founded in 2011, Community Development Partners develops and operates sustainable, life-enhancing affordable housing with a focus on long term community engagement and innovative design. As a mission-driven, forward-thinking organization, CDP is focused exclusively on creating vibrant affordable housing communities that incorporate art, public parks, gardens, fresh food, and cultural and social programming. Today, CDP has built, preserved or is actively developing over 55 unique projects comprising 4,800+ affordable homes throughout Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. It is a certified B Corporation.

About The County Of Santa Clara, California

The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multicultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, Calif., making it more populous than 14 states in the United States. The County provides essential services to its residents, including public health protection, environmental stewardship, medical services through the County of Santa Clara Health System, child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and many other public benefits. For more information:

View a PDF of the press release here.