Moonridge Village Affordable Housing
Half Moon Bay, California

The first 80 unit phase of this 160 house affordable farm worker village is completed on a rural 42 acre site near the Pacific Ocean just south of Half Moon Bay. The two, three and four bedroom units rent to agricultural worker families from $200 to $500 per month, according to unit size and residents' income. Common amenities include a soccer field, basketball court, tot-lots, community gardens and orchards, and a picnic-barbecue area.

Community facilities, including a computer learning center, community classrooms, laundry facilities, child development center, post office, and the management and maintenance offices are all arranged around a zocalo, or central plaza.

This affordable farm labor housing development had its beginnings in 1983. The project was first delayed due to a lack of water. When this issue finally resolved available sewer capacity had disappeared. A proposal for an on site sewage treatment plant gained government approval only to be stopped by Sierra Club and sewage district legal opposition. Then the local school district sued, demanding a $20 per square foot fee. The project has slowly tread a long and bumpy path, unable to start construction until fourteen years after conception.

awards

Golden Nugget Merit Award: Best Affordable
Pacific Coast Builders Conference
Design Matters: Best Practices in Affordable Housing
University of Illinois, City Design Center
Builder's Choice Affordable Award
Builder's Magazine and National Association of Home Builders
Merit Design Award
California Council, American Institute of Architects
Tax Credit Excellence Award for Rural Housing
Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
Design Matters: Best Practices in Affordable Housing
University of Illinois at Chicago

project details

Nonprofit Housing Developer

Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition

Architect

David Baker + Partners

Structural Engineer

L.S. Mason + Associates

General Contractor

Segue Construction

Photographer

Cesar Rubio