Project Goal
The primary goal of Mitchell Park Place was to create high-quality, deeply affordable housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and other low-income residents in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets. Developed through a partnership between Eden Housing and AbilityPath, the community created 50 affordable apartment homes in Palo Alto, Calif., including 25 units reserved for residents with I/DD. The goal was determined to have been met based on several measures: the community, completed and placed in service in November 2025, achieved full occupancy shortly after opening, and the partnership with AbilityPath ensures residents have ongoing access to services that support long-term housing stability, independence and quality of life.
Financing
Developing Mitchell Park Place required a sophisticated public-private financing structure to create deeply affordable housing in a high-cost market. The development was financed through a combination of federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), tax credit equity provided by Wells Fargo, loans from Santa Clara County and the City of Palo Alto, HOME funds, and Project-Based Vouchers administered by the Santa Clara County Housing Authority. One of Mitchell Park Place’s primary financing challenges was assembling sufficient capital to serve residents with extremely low incomes, including adults with I/DD, while addressing Palo Alto’s high land and construction costs. Through public-private partnerships, the development team layered multiple financing tools to close funding gaps. Mitchell Park Place was completed on schedule, leased up in record time, and delivered under budget.
Additional Development Challenges
A major challenge in developing Mitchell Park Place involved navigating concerns among some community members regarding California’s housing streamlining laws. While the development relied on California Assembly Bill 2162 (Supportive Housing Act), California Senate Bill 330 (Housing Crisis Act) and the State Density Bonus Law to expedite approvals, there was initial concern that streamlining would diminish local input and community oversight. The development team addressed this by involving local planning staff early in development planning and conducting extensive outreach with residents, neighbors and community stakeholders to gather feedback. This engagement allowed the team to demonstrate to elected officials that community perspectives had been incorporated into the community, and the development secured its entitlements in less than four months, compared with a typical 12- to 18-month timeline for comparable developments.
Design Features
Mitchell Park Place was guided by universal design principles and The Kelsey’s Inclusive Design Standards, incorporating accessibility features well beyond code requirements. Apartments feature larger-than-required clearances, realistic furniture layouts and flexible living spaces. Visual landmarks, accent colors, tactile materials and intuitive wayfinding support independent navigation. The design also includes features specifically intended to support neurodivergent residents, including color-coded floor identities, tactile wayfinding cues, calming color palettes, natural light and sensory-friendly spaces. Outdoor amenities include a meditation labyrinth and quiet gathering areas, and artwork created by local members of the I/DD community is incorporated throughout common areas. The building balances accessibility with neighborhood compatibility: a stepped fourth floor reduces perceived building mass along Charleston Road while increasing natural light to residential units, and a sawtooth façade creates architectural interest and improves privacy for neighboring properties. The design draws inspiration from the area’s mid-century modern character. Community spaces include a teaching kitchen, courtyard, community room and garden areas.
Management’s Role in Success
The Eden Housing Management team’s early involvement and coordinated approach were critical to the community’s success. Eden Housing worked closely with a broad network of partners, including the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, Santa Clara County, San Andreas Regional Center and Housing Choices Coalition, to coordinate outreach, referrals, eligibility review and resident placement. As a result, the community leased all available homes in less than one month, despite opening during the December holiday season.
Ongoing Management Challenges
As a newly completed community, Mitchell Park Place is still in the early stages of operations, and the full range of long-term management challenges continues to emerge. The property serves a diverse resident population, including adults with I/DD, making responsive management, accessibility and resident engagement ongoing priorities. Eden Housing Management and Eden Housing Resident Services work closely with residents, service providers and community partners to identify issues early, respond to resident feedback and connect residents with appropriate resources. The development team also plans to conduct a post-occupancy evaluation to inform future operational practices, programming and design improvements.
Resident Programs and Services
Mitchell Park Place offers an integrated service model combining affordable housing, supportive services and community-based programming. A cornerstone of this model is AbilityPath’s 2,773-square-foot program space on the ground floor of the development, which provides life-skills, educational, creative and community-building programming for residents and members of the broader I/DD community. The 25 homes reserved for adults with I/DD are referred through the San Andreas Regional Center and Housing Choices Coalition, and residents have access to individualized supports including independent living services, employment assistance, benefits navigation, behavioral health resources and community integration programs; many residents are transitioning from living with aging parents or family members. Eden Housing Resident Services further strengthens the model through on-site service coordination, educational programming and community-building activities.
Community Integration
Mitchell Park Place is located adjacent to Mitchell Park and within walking distance of community amenities, transit, shopping and services, which is particularly beneficial for adults with I/DD in accessing employment, recreation and other community resources. Site selection was guided by maximizing independence and belonging, giving residents direct access to transit, grocery stores, parks, employers and service providers without heavy reliance on automobiles. Extensive outreach with residents, neighborhood groups, community organizations and members of the I/DD community informed the building’s design. The development also preserves ground-floor space for AbilityPath, ensuring services remain available to both residents and the broader community, and the building draws inspiration from the neighborhood’s Eichler homes and mid-century modern character.
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