For Immediate Release
The Kelsey Ayer Station: A Landmark for Affordable, Accessible, and Inclusive Housing in San Jose
San Jose, CA (10/3/2024) — The Kelsey proudly announces the opening of its first-ever housing development, The Kelsey Ayer Station, a deeply affordable, accessible, and inclusive community in the heart of San Jose, CA. The Kelsey and its development partners, Sares Regis Group of Northern California (SRGNC) and Devine and Gong, Inc (DGI), celebrated the opening of The Kelsey Ayer Station with partners and supporters this week.
Located at 457 N First St., the $75 million development offers 115 apartment homes affordable to individuals making 20% to 80% of the area median income. The Kelsey Ayer Station hosts a mix of 2-bedroom and studio apartments, with 25% of units reserved for people with disabilities. It was the first project funded from Google’s affordable housing fund. The Kelsey’s first-of-its-kind cross-disability design makes apartments accessible for diverse physical, sensory, and support access needs.
“The Kelsey Ayer Station has not only provided homes and community to our residents with and without disabilities but serves as a model for what a truly inclusive housing future can be across our country. Disability-forward housing is both essential and possible–even in some of our most challenging housing markets,” said Micaela Connery, Co-Founder and CEO of The Kelsey. “This affordable, accessible, inclusive community was co-created by leaders with and without disabilities and made possible with partnership across public, private, and philanthropic sectors. We’re proud of what we have created here and look forward to making it a reality in even more communities in the future.”
Among the building’s amenities are a fitness room, terrace, sensory garden, maker space, dog run, and on-site Inclusion Concierge staff: a program pioneered by The Kelsey to connect residents to formal services and supports as well as build an active, supportive community. The community’s central location – public transit, jobs, the arts, culture, services, and healthcare are all within close proximity – was also intentional.
“The Kelsey Ayer Station gives individuals and families the opportunity to afford to live where they work, where their kids go to school, and where they have built community. It is unique in that it has also created homes for people with disabilities to live independently and inclusively, in community with their neighbors,” said Chan U Lee, President and CEO of Devine and Gong, Inc (DGI). “Bringing 115 much needed affordable homes to San Jose takes a village, and I’m proud of the work the team and our public and private partners have done in collaboration to bring this project to fruition.”
The building was fully designed using The Kelsey’s Inclusive Design Standards, which were co-created by advocates, developers, and architects and serve as a resource for public and private housing developers nationwide.
“My team and I absolutely love building creative and inspirational living environments. We have done so for over 30 years. We feel so privileged to reach a broader and more under-served cross section of the Bay Area community through this collaboration with The Kelsey, Devine and Gong, the City of San Jose, and the wonderful The Kelsey Ayer Station project team,” said Todd Regonini, Co-President of Development and Managing Partner at Sares Regis Group of Northern California (SRGNC).
The development is the first in a pipeline of several The Kelsey co-developments and technical assistance housing projects, including a second disability-forward community opening in San Francisco in 2025 and another in Birmingham, Alabama projected to open in 2027.
Funding and Support: The Kelsey Ayer Station was made possible through a diverse range of funders, including Google’s Affordable Housing Fund, which supported the project during predevelopment; Capital One and Comerica Bank, which provided construction debt; the City of San Jose; the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Transit-Oriented Development Program; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Enterprise Community Partners; the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA); Housing Trust Silicon Valley; The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and individual supporters.
Quotes from Key Stakeholders:
Devine & Gong
“The Kelsey Ayer Station gives individuals and families the opportunity to afford to live where they work, where their kids go to school, and where they have built community. It is unique in that it has also created homes for people with disabilities to live independently and inclusively, in community with their neighbors. Bringing 115 much needed affordable homes to San Jose takes a village, and I’m proud of the work the team and our public and private partners have done in collaboration to bring this project to fruition.” – Chan U Lee, President and CEO
Sares Regis Group of Northern California
“My team and I absolutely love building creative and inspirational living environments. We have done so for over 30 years. We feel so privileged to reach a broader and more under-served cross section of the Bay Area community through this collaboration with The Kelsey, Devine and Gong, the City of San Jose, and the wonderful The Kelsey Ayer Station project team.” – Todd Regonini, Co-President of Development and Managing Partner
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)
“CalHFA is thrilled to provide financing to The Kelsey Ayer Station through our Mixed-Income Program,” said CalHFA Executive Director Tiena Johnson Hall. “The program is designed to create integrated, inclusive communities and, by providing opportunities to disabled and nondisabled residents at a mix of income levels, this development is an excellent example of achieving that program goal.”
Enterprise Community Partners
“Enterprise is proud to partner with The Kelsey, Devine & Gong and the Sares-Regis Group on The Kelsey’s first inclusive affordable housing development. Facilitating the $25.4M investment on behalf of Capital One in this innovative model designed to serve individuals with disabilities within the broader community has been a privilege and a pleasure.” – Philip Porter, Senior Vice President, Head of Acquisitions at Enterprise Housing Credit Investments
Capital One
“The Kelsey Ayer Station housewarming and grand opening marks an exciting milestone in bringing quality and inclusive affordable housing to the Bay Area that responds to the needs of individuals with different developmental capabilities. It takes collaboration across government, nonprofit and private sector organizations to successfully deliver on our shared goal of increasing affordable housing. Capital One is proud to have provided construction debt as well as invested in Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity to finance this development.” – Tamar Sarkisian, Capital Officer for Community Finance
Comerica Bank
“For 175 years, Comerica has been the driving force in building strong communities. Our commitment to providing capital for affordable housing initiatives reflects our dedication to fostering economic stability and improving the quality of life for all members of the community. By partnering with The Kelsey and leveraging financial resources, we foster opportunities to create sustainable housing solutions that is inclusive to all abilities and provides the opportunity for residents to thrive.” – Beatrice Kelly, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Development
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan
“The Kelsey Ayer Station is a shining example of what’s possible when government, the private sector and philanthropy come together for public good,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said. “People with and without disabilities at mixed income levels living together near transit sets a high bar for what housing can look like in San Jose.”
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
“The Kelsey Ayer Station models so many of the values we work to promote and support through our funding programs: accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, and a commitment to addressing climate risk,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “This project brings Californians from a wide range of income levels and abilities together in community, with car-free access to jobs, schools, and health care, advancing equity from the most fundamental level.”
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
“The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is proud to partner with The Kelsey as it creates affordable housing that meets the needs of people with disabilities,” said Amy Kleine, senior program director. “Residents of this new development will benefit greatly from The Kelsey’s care and attention to creating a strong community, and we hope that they thrive in their new homes.”
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is proud to be a HUD 811 Tenant Referral Organization partner with The Kelsey Ayer Station. Sheri Burns, SVILC’s Executive Director, shared, “We are extremely excited for the grand opening of The Kelsey’s beautiful, fully accessible and inclusive apartment complex in San Jose! The Kelsey Ayer Station is a gold standard in design for which all new apartment complexes should aspire. We know that the residents will love living in this complex where they can have the environment and support they need to thrive and be an integral part of this community.”
Housing Choices
“The Kelsey Ayer Station is a beautiful property and our consumers, people with Developmental Disabilities, are so fortunate to have moved into this community. The collaboration to accommodate our clients’ needs has been exceptional and we are so excited the people we serve are able to live in such a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment. We appreciate that this great community offers high standard affordable housing in Silicon Valley.” – Dennise Jauregui, Executive Director
