Adequate Housing is Essential

By Joe Simitian

-JOE SIMITIAN
County Supervisor and Candidate for State Assembly

Santa Clara County Supervisor and candidate for the 21st Assembly District Joe Simitian has long been an advocate for housing. In addition to other efforts, Simitian has been recognized for his leadership in launching the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group's Housing Leadership Council, for his long-standing support of the county's Housing Trust Fund, and for his successful efforts as Mayor of Palo Alto in championing creative housing proposals.

Simitian, who currently chairs the Housing Leadership Council, has been widely recognized for his housing advocacy. In 1998 the Santa Clara County Housing Action Coalition honored Simitian with an award for his "leadership and commitment to affordable housing for Silicon Valley workers and their families." And this past February, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group presented it's First Annual Community Housing Leadership Award to Simitian for providing vision and leadership to create homes for Silicon Valley workers.

JOE KNOWS HOUSING Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian has long been an advocate for housing. He is particularly proud of his involvement with the following initiatives:

County-Level

As a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Joe Simitian has been a leader on affordable housing issues. Supervisor Simitian currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group's Housing Leadership Council. The Housing Leadership Council's goal is to bring together leaders from the public and private sectors to identify tangible housing solutions for Silicon Valley. The Council includes representatives from local government and the business, finance, labor, affordable housing, realestate, development and environmental communities.

Clara-Mateo Homeless Shelter - Menlo Park, California

As the Supervisor representing Santa Clara County's Fifth District, Joe Simitian led the effort to provide unprecedented inter-county financial support for the Clara-Mateo Homeless Shelter. Although the shelter is located within San Mateo County, Supervisor Simitian recognized the need for cooperation across county boundaries to serve the needs of homeless individuals and families on the Mid-Peninsula.

City-Level

Alma Place - Palo Alto, California

While on the Palo Alto City Council, Simitian championed the development of Alma Place,106 contemporary studios for individuals with very low incomes. To make this project possible, Simitian proposed a creative first-of-its-kind land swap agreement that resulted in the City of Palo Alto securing a suitable site near retail and commercial business, major transportation corridors and community services. He continued to shepherd the project through the City `s planning and financing processes. The dedication ceremony for Alma Place occurred in March 1998.

Page Mill Court - Palo Alto, California

Again, as a Palo Alto Council Member, Simitian spearheaded the effort to approve 24 units of housing for very low-income developmentally disabled adults. Simitian provided guidance and support in the earliest stages of discussion, and was instrumental in negotiating the acquisition of Santa Clara County surplus property that made this project possible. Under construction by Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition, the dedication ceremony for Page Mill Court occurred in November 1998.

Lytton Courtyard - Palo Alto, California

While on the Palo Alto City Council, Simitian led the Council's support of the 51-unitLytton Courtyard housing development for very low-income senior citizens. This infill project provides urgently needed senior housing conveniently near downtown Palo Alto and public transportation services. Lytton Courtyard was completed in 1995.

OTHER PROJECTS As a land use planner and attorney, Simitian also played important roles in the approval of two other affordable housing projects:

Sixty units of affordable rental housing in the North Fair Oaks community of San Mateo County, recognized for "Design Excellence" by the California Association of Building Officials and specifically designed for the visually or acoustically impaired and/or wheelchair bound.

Coast-side farm worker housing in unincorporated San Mateo County. Simitian led initial planning efforts and secured entitlements for this 160-unit project which will serve the needs of very low income farm workers and their families. He was specially commended by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for his efforts.