FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the 555 Kelly development, and who will it serve?
555 Kelly is a proposed affordable housing community being developed by Mercy Housing California in partnership with ALAS (Ayudando Latinos a Soñar). The development is intended to serve current and former farmworkers age 55 and older.
The project would include 40 affordable apartments consisting of 3 studio apartments, 34 one-bedroom apartments, and 3 two-bedroom apartments. The ground floor would include a Community Resource Center, providing services and resources. The development would also include resident community space, outdoor gathering areas, 18 on-site parking spaces, and 32 bicycle parking spaces.
The project design has been informed by extensive community engagement, including three community meetings attended by more than 130 community members in 2023, as well as discussions with potential future residents.
What is the Community Center?
The Community Center is a resident-focused service space located on the ground floor of the 555 Kelly development and operated by ALAS (Ayudando Latinos a Soñar).
The Community Center will support residents by connecting them with services and resources such as mental health support, immigration assistance, and healthcare navigation, including partnerships with organizations such as Stanford Medicine and San Mateo County service providers.
The Community Center will also include a community room for resident programming, small meetings, workshops, and related activities. Consistent with the Ground Lease with the City of Half Moon Bay, the space will also accommodate community meetings and activities for a minimum of 16 hours per week, with scheduling coordinated in partnership with City of Half Moon Bay staff.
Why is Mercy Housing pursuing this development?
In keeping with its mission, Mercy Housing California is committed to developing high-quality affordable rental housing in San Mateo County, including housing for senior farmworkers and their families. In 2022, Mercy Housing partnered with ALAS to respond to the City of Half Moon Bay's request for proposals for the 555 Kelly Avenue site. Following a competitive selection process, the City chose Mercy Housing as the developer and entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement, establishing the foundation for the proposed development.
What was the city approval process for the project?
The project received all required planning approvals in May 2024. In April 2026, the city council approved the Ground Lease and the Affordable Housing Property Disposition Agreement (AHPDA) which authorize Mercy Housing's long-term use of the City owned property.
Who are the architects for the 555 Kelly development?
The project's architectural team includes Van Meter Williams Pollack (VMWP) and Steinberg Hart, two California based firms with extensive experience designing affordable housing and community focused developments.
VMWP specializes in affordable and mixed income housing, urban design, and master planning. The firm has designed numerous affordable housing communities throughout the Bay Area, including Mercy Housing's Colma Veterans Village and Notre Dame Plaza.
Steinberg Hart is an award-winning architecture firm with decades of experience delivering housing and mixed-use developments throughout California. The firm's affordable housing portfolio includes projects such as Agrihood in Santa Clara County and Meridian in Sunnyvale.
Together, the firms bring expertise in affordable housing design, community engagement, and creating high-quality residential developments that serve diverse communities.
How can I support the 555 Kelly development?
Community members who would like to support the project can:
1. Share project information and the project fact sheet with others.
2. Visit website for future project updates and opportunities to stay engaged.