In early February 2026, the Cupertino City Council approved a controversial housing project with affordable units, some specifically designated to accommodate disabled residents. With three votes in favor, one against and one abstention, the project passed after nearly 20 years of debate.
The developer of this project is Charities Housing, a nonprofit organization in San Jose that focuses on providing affordable housing for low-income families and individuals.
This housing project will include 40 units, 17 of which are reserved for households with very low income and two for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Very low income is categorized as those who earn less than 30% of the Area Median Income in Santa Clara County. The housing community, Mary Avenue Villas, will be built on 0.79 acres of city-owned land near Highway 85. As a result, a total of 89 parking spaces will be removed.
During the three-hour meeting, arguments for and against this project were discussed. Supporters claimed that this project was long overdue and would fulfill a moral responsibility to house people with disabilities. In addition, they argued that this could help the housing crisis in California, particularly in Silicon Valley. Critics of this project claimed that it could exacerbate issues with parking congestion due to the removal of existing parking spaces. There were also concerns regarding taxpayer funds and the legal concerns of designating the public space as surplus land, defined as unused land owned by an entity that does not have any use.
Following the project’s approval, the land will be sold by the city for $1 to be developed as part of a 99-year contract to ensure affordable housing. However, the project could face delays when determining if the land qualifies as surplus. If a lawsuit were filed, it could stall construction and potentially require changes to the project. The Cupertino Planning Commission is set to review the street changes specified by the project, specifically narrowing a portion of a street.
If no legal delays occur, construction of Mary Avenue Villas will begin when permits and financing are secured. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026 or the spring of 2027 and take 15 months to complete.
