New affordable housing development proposed near Roosevelt Park

A new affordable housing development could rise in San Jose near Roosevelt Park, with some units targeted for formerly homeless people, youth out of foster care and the developmentally disabled.

Under the current plan, the Roosevelt Parks Apartments at 21 N. 21st Street — near Santa Clara Street and Highway 101 — would stand nine stories and include 79 apartments for low-income residents, according to a new memo from the city’s housing director, Jacky Morales-Ferrand, and the budget director, Margaret McCahan.

On Tuesday, the City Council will consider approving a loan of around $9 million to support the project. The developers, First Community Housing, would still need to secure additional financing and work through the permitting process. But tentatively, construction is set tocommercial space, and more than 2,000 square feet would be set aside for community space. That could include a computer lab or space for different nonprofits or agencies to meet with residents and offer things like career advice or mentoring. Two of the levels would be for parking.

The project, the memo says, could serve low- and moderate-income residents like fast food cooks, cashiers and even nurses and construction workers.

Located roughly a half mile from the planned Alum Rock/28th Street BART station, the development would be steps from the Roosevelt Community Center, San Jose High School, and the South Bay Sports Training and Batting Cages.

According to an initial study conducted by the city in December, the building would rise 85 feet tall, with the elevator shaft extending to 95