A development is proposed in San Carlos on county-owned land for 20 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals who are homeless or at risk of being homeless and struggling with serious mental illness.
The development is proposed by the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County that has created nine other homes across other cities to support residents in need. At F Street and El Camino Real in San Carlos, the organization is proposing 19 studio apartments for single adults and one manager’s unit, and will be 100% affordable.
Providing stable housing and associating support services for individuals in need is the “foundation for good mental health and physical well-being,” Melissa Platt, executive director of Mental Health Association of San Mateo County, said. The goal is to make projects “warm, homey and beautiful” so individuals have “a nice place to start their new lives,” she said.
The proposal is for a four-story building on a currently vacant lot. It would reside right next to another property operated by the county’s Mental Health Association, the Belmont Apartments, at 800 F St. in Belmont. On the other side of the proposed development is another development for 251 units at 11 El Camino Real, San Carlos, which just recently broke ground.
The development in San Carlos would fall on the border between the two cities. A formal application has yet to be submitted, however, it is intended to be in coming months.
The property will also provide case management services for residents, occupational therapy, registered nurses and peer support staff. Amenities will also include a community room with a kitchen, laundry facilities and a roof-top community garden.
The services are individuals to the residents who will ultimately live at the property, acknowledging that those with serious mental illness are “not a homogeneous group,” Platt said.
Residents will ultimately be referred to one of the units through their connection to San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.
“I’ve been waiting for this project to come forward for a long time and I am so excited,” Councilmember Sara McDowell said. “I welcome this project in San Carlos, it’s much needed housing for a very vulnerable group of people.”
Other councilmembers also expressed their excitement for the project to move forward and their appreciation for the Mental Health Association.
“It’s a beautiful building, it’s close to transit, it’s close to grocery stores, it’s well thought out and we’re missing this in our community,” Mayor Pranita Venkatesh said.
Once the application is submitted, under the streamlined process of Senate Bill 35, which progresses entirely affordable developments at a quicker pace, the San Carlos Planning and Transportation Commission will be the governing body to formally approve the project.