Human Relations Commission - August 13, 2026

Palo Alto’s Human Relations Commission began developing ideas for expanding affordable senior housing, hearing from nonprofit housing providers that city-owned land, higher density, lower fees and faster approvals could help make projects financially viable. The commission did not adopt recommendations or take a funding action at its Aug. 13 meeting.

Representatives of Alta Housing, Eden Housing and MidPen Housing described a shortage of housing affordable to older residents with very low incomes, as well as the services needed to help residents remain independent. Alta Housing reported that the average income among its Palo Alto residents age 62 and older was about $13,000, and said more than 600 applicants sought places on a two-week waiting list for its 57-unit Sheridan Apartments senior property.

The providers urged the city to consider using underutilized public land for affordable housing, allowing more homes on available sites, waiving or reducing development fees for fully affordable projects and using state streamlining tools. MidPen pointed to parking lots near services and transit as potential opportunities, including land near Avenidas, while Eden and Alta described adding homes to existing properties or colocating housing with commercial and community services.

BMR owners raise concerns about aging in place

The commission also heard concerns from residents of Palo Alto’s below-market-rate, or BMR, ownership program. Alta Housing, which administers the city program, said it had found homeowners association fees generally ranging from $500 to $700 a month in a review conducted about two years ago.

A longtime BMR condominium owner told the commission that the program’s resale formula preserves affordability for a future buyer but can leave older owners without enough equity to move into more accessible or supportive housing as their needs change. The resident also said rising HOA dues and assessments can be difficult to absorb on a fixed income.

State Board of Equalization Chair Sally Lieber, whose district includes Palo Alto, said the city could consider a locally supported fund to assist income-qualified BMR owners with recurring HOA costs or major assessments. That was a suggestion during the discussion, not an action taken by the commission or City Council.

Further discussion planned

Commissioners said they wanted more local data on the number of older residents in need of affordable housing and the share of housing available to them. During the meeting, staff said a joint session with the City Council Policy and Services Committee was proposed for Sept. 8 to discuss the city’s proposed Human Infrastructure Systems and Resources Allocation Program Plus, or HISRAP Plus. Staff described the funding cycle as a core responsibility of the commission.

The commission also received a briefing from Lieber on the state welfare property-tax exemption used by nonprofit affordable-housing organizations. Lieber said processing delays in some counties can require nonprofit providers to pay property taxes while applications are pending, adding financial strain to housing projects. She said Santa Clara County has had comparatively strong processing performance.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet