Lakeside is the largest conversion of market-rate to affordable housing in the history of California, and represents a long-term commitment to affordable housing. Lakeside is located in San Leandro, a diversified, working-class community in the San Francisco Bay Area, in the midst of a well-publicized housing affordability crisis. San Leandro is connected to the employment centers of San Francisco and Oakland via mass transit, and Lakeside provides much needed affordable housing to the region’s workforce.

Lakeside contains 840 high-quality, affordable apartments on two adjacent sites, totaling 32 acres. The smaller north campus groups 12 apartment buildings, the Leasing Office, and a pool area. The Clubhouse, two pool areas and 36 apartment buildings form the south campus. The entire property is newly renovated. On-site programming to help residents include daycare facilities, wellness classes, adult education, career counseling, community garden, and more. These community programs offer residents a real chance to find success in their lives by giving them skills and a support network.

The project is highly sustainable, as the life of the existing structures and infrastructure has been extended through the renovation efforts. Landscape improvements preserved the existing character of the site with its mature trees and ponds, and improved it with the creation of a promenade, and a pedestrian spine that links the two sides of the campus and connects the main community amenities. In terms of water efficiency, the renovations preserved the main water features, but increased their efficiency, including the creation of a rain garden that collects water from the adjacent buildings’ roofs, and by planting native, low-water vegetation.

As the trajectory of San Leandro continues to keep pace with the overall economic growth of the Bay Area, Lakeside will provide affordable housing with amenities and supportive community programming that exceed even market-rate developments in the metro area.

Location: San Leandro, CA
Developer: Standard Communities
Partners: Chee Salette Architecture and Citi Community Capital