Housing Trust Silicon Valley had its most impactful year to date in 2016, according to CEO Kevin Zwick in his Investor Briefing report to the community.
Last year, the Housing Trust lent $20 million in early stage, risk capital to affordable multifamily housing developers – more than any previous year in its 17-year history. The Housing Trust continues to expand its service area to the broader region beyond Santa Clara County and has now made loans in San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Francisco, Napa County and San Joaquin. Last year also saw the start of a new partnership with the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership to create the Monterey Bay Housing Trust, serving the needs of workers and families in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. See a map of the regions we serve and our impacts to date.
Kevin also acknowledged the accomplishments of Housing Trust’s homebuyer programs, in particular the one-stop shop for affordable homeownership program established for the City of Santa Clara. Last year, the Housing Trust educated more than 1,500 prospective homeowners about opportunities to purchase a below-market home and/or to receive down payment assistance.
In discussing the victories of Measures A, A1 and K, Kevin praised the efforts of staff, board members and community partners in working vigorously for their passage. “It’s amazing what we’re able to do when we work collectively,” he said, calling on all the people in the room to keep the challenge of affordable housing front and center in the media and before local, regional and state elected officials.