Palo Alto Housing Update: From Planning to Progress

Published on May 09, 2025

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Housing is one of the Council’s top four priorities for 2025, and this year marks a shift from planning to implementation. With a certified Housing Element and newly approved zoning changes, incentives, and streamlined approvals, the City is well positioned to deliver on a wide variety of housing goals in 2025 and beyond. From Housing Element implementation, new efforts such as Downtown Housing Plan, ADU adjustments to streamline the process, to the San Antonio Area Plan and opportunities to get involved, this update share the latest news on housing,

Housing By the Numbers 

Since 2023:

  • 522 units permitted (168 affordable)
  • 2,755 units submitted in project applications (707 affordable)

At approximately 9%, Palo Alto has the second highest inventory of affordable housing for incorporated jurisdictions within Santa Clara County (as a percentage of total housing). Data source: SV@Home. Since 2017, Palo Alto has invested or committed over $57 million to affordable housing projects, demonstrating a long-term commitment to building more affordable housing.

Recent Investments in Affordable Housing 

  • $5 million investment provided to Charities Housing to build a 100% affordable 129-unit project on El Camino Real
  • Mitchell Park Place — offering supportive and affordable housing
  • Wilton Court –$20.5 million investment to support housing for low-income individuals, including people with disabilities
  • Intent to lease Lot T to a non-profit partner for housing development

Read the Update.

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