Berkeley Council Approves Ashby BART Housing Project
The city will begin exclusive negotiations to develop 174 affordable units at the Ashby station.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Remote Work
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Berkeley City Council has voted unanimously to initiate negotiations for a 174-unit affordable housing development at the Ashby BART station site. The project, which includes apartments and 12 townhomes, aims to address historical displacement in the area.
Why it matters
The development provides much-needed affordable homeownership and rental opportunities at a transit-oriented site. It directly seeks to repair housing loss stemming from the original construction of the BART station during the 1960s.
The project will feature 174 total units, including 12 townhomes, situated on a 1.9-acre parking lot. The city has committed $1 million in pre-development loans and $7 million in total towards the construction.
The players
Berkeley City Council
This is the primary legislative body governing the city of Berkeley and responsible for approving municipal housing policies.
Satellite Affordable Housing Associates
This is a nonprofit organization that develops and manages affordable housing communities throughout the East Bay.
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley
This local affiliate of the international housing nonprofit focuses on creating homeownership opportunities for low-income families.
Deborah Matthews
She is a lead member of the development team responsible for overseeing the planning and negotiation of the housing project.
The details
The development team includes Satellite Affordable Housing Associates and Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. Future residents will be capped at 60% of the area median income for apartments and 80% for townhomes.
Timeline
1960s: BART cleared homes and businesses for station construction.
2024: BART agreed to transfer the east parking lot to the city.
October 27, 2026: City Council voted to enter negotiations.
End of 2031: Project construction is expected to finish.
Market Landscape
This project follows the pattern set by the California Transit-Oriented Development Housing Program by prioritizing high-density residential development near public infrastructure. It signals a shift toward utilizing surplus transit parking lots to address regional housing shortages.
Local residents earning up to 60% of the area median income may soon have access to new affordable rental units at the BART station. The project also introduces new homeownership opportunities for buyers earning up to 80% of the area median income.
The takeaway
This development marks a significant step in converting underutilized municipal land into community-focused residential space. Prospective applicants should monitor city council updates to track eligibility timelines and future outreach meetings.
Further reading
For more on how urban planning is evolving, see the latest on Remote Work.
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Should cities replace public transit parking lots with affordable housing developments?
