Lafayette's New Affordable Housing Project Supports Disabled Adults
LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA - A new 48-unit affordable housing development in downtown Lafayette is moving ahead after the City Council unanimously approved a proposal from Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates to build supportive housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The project is planned for 949 Moraga Road, a city-owned parking lot on the west side of Moraga Road between Moraga Boulevard and Brooks Street, near Lafayette Elementary School and a short walk from downtown shops, restaurants, the library and BART.
The city is contributing the land for the development as part of its affordable housing efforts.
What Is Being Built
The proposal calls for a four-story building with 48 total units. According to the city, that includes 27 one-bedroom below-market-rate units, 20 two-bedroom below-market-rate units and one three-bedroom moderate-rate unit reserved for the on-site manager.
The building is specifically designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other chromosomal abnormalities, according to the city release.
The project will include a fitness area, teaching kitchen, bike storage, laundry room, resident lounges and outdoor courtyards.
Sunflower Hill will provide activities and resident services, while SAHA will serve as the on-site property manager. The project team also includes Pyatok as architect and Sunseri Construction as builder.
Why This Site Matters
That land contribution is one of the biggest pieces of the project. Affordable housing developments often depend on a stack of public funding, tax credits, grants and land contributions. In this case, Sunflower Hill board member Rosemary Kirbach said the city's land contribution was "critical to the success of the project."
Mayor Carl Anduri framed the location as a major advantage for future residents.
"The project is perfectly located for residents to walk to grocery stores, restaurants, the Lafayette BART station, the library and all the other amenities that our vibrant downtown offers," Anduri said in the city announcement.
The Funding Picture
The project has already secured a major state funding award. Sunflower Hill received $19.5 million toward construction and support services through California's Multifamily Finance Super NOFA program, according to the city.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development announced in September 2025 that its Round 3 Multifamily Finance Super NOFA awards would help create 2,099 homes statewide, with 2,068 reserved for low- to extremely low-income Californians.
The Lafayette project is not fully funded yet. The city says Congressman Mark DeSaulnier recently advanced a request for $2 million in federal appropriations funding, and additional funds have been requested through Contra Costa County's Measure X program. Sunflower Hill and SAHA also intend to apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits in summer 2026.
Sunflower Hill is a Bay Area nonprofit focused on affordable housing, life skills and enrichment programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The 949 Moraga Road development would be Sunflower Hill's first expansion into Contra Costa County. The nonprofit already developed and manages Irby Ranch and is also developing two housing projects in Dublin, Grace Pointe and Francis Ranch.
How It Fits Into Lafayette's Housing Push
The 949 Moraga project comes as Lafayette is trying to meet a much larger housing target. The city's 2023-2031 Housing Element calls for facilitating 2,114 new housing units under its Regional Housing Needs Allocation, according to the background section of the city release.
Several other higher-density projects have recently opened or been approved in Lafayette, including The Brant by Lennar, Blue Oak by Griggs Group, Mount Diablo Condominiums and a 90-unit project at 1001 Oak Hill Road.
What Happens Next
The council approval is a major step, but it does not mean residents are about to move in immediately. The project still needs to complete its funding stack, including tax credits and other public funding sources.
We'll follow the progress of this new development closely.
