Providing housing for all income levels is a focus for all Bay Area cities, including Palo Alto. Palo Alto has long been a leader in the production of affordable housing and currently has the second highest inventory of affordable housing for incorporated jurisdictions within Santa Clara County (as a percentage of total housing stock). 

Palo Alto Housing by the Numbers

• $52 million contributed or pledged towards affordable housing since 2017
• Approximately 2,300 units or ~9% of total housing stock dedicated to affordable housing (deed restricted)
• Over 1,000 housing units permitted in the last eight years

To further the work on housing, Palo Alto City Council adopted Housing for Social and Economic Balance as a 2023 and 2024 Council priority, and endorsed the State certified Housing Element to help guide future housing production and housing-related programs and policies. The City continues to make progress on this important priority through a variety of methods. Learn more about the City's housing priorities by clicking on the boxes for more.

What's New 

View More Housing News

Housing Priorities & Resources