The first transit-oriented development (TOD) housing to open in more than 20 years under the portfolio of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) happened earlier this month.
The apartments are adjacent to the Tamien Light Rail and Caltrain stations on Lick Avenue in San Jose. The Core Companies, leasing the land from VTA, built 135 apartments accessible to families and individuals earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, now full, are directly adjacent to Tamien Caltrain and VTA Light Rail stations, with transit passes provided for residents of the building.
“VTA has bold plans to enable over 2,500 new homes near transit — and that critical work starts right here at Tamien Station,” said MTC Commissioner and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. “We need to leverage our public land for maximum public good. I look forward to seeing our transit agency break ground on more projects like this so that people can live, work, and play near transit services that reduce congestion and improve our environment for everyone.”
Half of the units in the Tamien development are allocated for rapid rehousing to help ensure those most in need have safe housing and avoid homelessness. The building includes an on-site daycare center, a fenced-in rooftop playground, a food pantry, a fitness room, and community gathering spaces.
Its location adjacent to transit makes downtown San Jose, local employers, parks, and everyday conveniences easily accessible via walking, biking, or public transportation. The project also includes improvements to the nearby transit plaza, reinforcing Tamien Station as a vital transportation hub.
The 1.6-acre site was previously a VTA-owned parking lot. It is now leased to Urban Co Tamien LLC, a partnership between Core and Republic Urban Properties, generating revenue to support transit services while fulfilling VTA’s commitment to affordable housing. This is the first phase of a mixed-income neighborhood development that will create a total of 555 units on this site.
Funding for the project comes from a mix of sources, including the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC), Santa Clara County’s voter-approved Measure A, the City of San Jose, and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program.
Tamien Station TOD is part of VTA’s broader effort to develop mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods connected by transit, supporting walkability, cycling, and long-term sustainability. Other projects include a property next to the Berryessa Transit Center, which houses the BART station, Blossom Hill Station, Capitol Station, Branham Station, Winchester Station, and the former Evelyn Station Park and Ride lot.
“VTA is proud to see beautiful, affordable housing go up right next to public transit, which is the lifeline for so many in our community,” said Carolyn Gonot, VTA’s General Manager/CEO. “We are excited to have many more such projects in the pipeline to open next to our transit stations in the near future."
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