Housing Programs
Housing Programs
The Town of Los Gatos Community Development Department works in partnership with the housing successor agency to the former Los Gatos Redevelopment Agency to improve and preserve the supply and quality of existing rental and ownership housing opportunities that are available for residents and employees of local businesses.
This is a listing of available housing and housing-related services that serve the Town of Los Gatos and Santa Clara County.
Below Market Price (BMP) Housing Program
When new developments are approved by the Town, the Below Market Price (BMP) Housing Ordinance adopted in 1979 requires developers to offer a minimum percentage of the units so they are affordable to lower and median income households. The program was most recently updated by Ordinance 2313.
HouseKeys (www.housekeys.org) is the administrator of the Town’s Below Market Price (BMP) Housing Program
If you are inquiring about a new home or want to be on the Applicant List for a future BMP home, please visit My House Keys 1.0 (Housing Program Operating System) to create your MyHouseKeys Account and “Request an Application ID” in the Program Center. You can also find more info on the program website at www.housekeys12.com.
If you are an existing homeowner, please start inquiries (e.g., refinances, resales, etc.) by completing a Service Request Ticket and one of our team members will contact you regarding next steps.
Note: Every Friday at 12 PM, HouseKeys holds a live Q & A Session on Housing Programs
If you are looking to rent a BMP unit, all the complexes are listed in the Town's Housing Resources Guide. Each complex has their own waiting list.
The Town's BMP program is operated in accordance with the Town's Below Market Price Program Policy, most recently updated by Resolution 2020-040.
Fair Housing Law Resources
The state of California has many protections in place for tenants and Landlords, but not everyone knows their rights. Below are a list of resources to use to help get educated on tenant and landlord rights:
- https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/housing/
- https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2022/12/Housing-Rights-Booklet_English.pdf
- https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview
You will find more information on rental dispute mediation and arbitration below.
Rental Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Program
Los Gatos Rental Dispute Ordinance 2128 Adopted by the Town in 2004 and helps stabilizes rents on properties with 3 or more units.
Project Sentinel is the contract administrator for the program and provides conciliation, mediation, and arbitration services. For more information, please contact Project Sentinel at 408-720-9888 or email.
- Los Gatos Rental Dispute Resolution Program Brochure
- Arbitration Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
North 40 Senior Affordable Housing Opportunity
Phase I of the North 40 Specific Plan includes the construction of 50 affordable senior housing units. To join the interest list for these affordable senior units, please visit Eden Housing’s website
Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP)
West Valley Community Services supplies services to low and extremely low income families living in Los Gatos. Services include:
- Rental assistance to prevent homelessness
- Assistance to prevent eviction
- Deposit assistance to house un-housed persons
- Utility assistance to prevent utility shut off
West Valley Community Services Brochure
For more information, please call 408-255-8033 or email wvcs@wvcommunityservices.org
Homeless Services
Los Gatos participates in the Santa Clara County Continuum of Care program, which includes prevention services, permanent affordable housing, the provision of emergency shelters, and transitional and permanent housing. To learn more about services in Santa Clara County, please visit https://preventhomelessness.org/ for additional information.
The Town also supports community partners to provide a food pantry program, shower program, and hotel program for the Town's unhoused community members.
- Food Pantry/Services: West Valley Community Services, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and Los Gatos United Methodist Church
- Shower Program: Los Gatos United Methodist Church
For more information, or if you have questions, please email Manager@LosGatosCA.gov.
Mobile Home Ordinance
The Los Gatos Mobile Home Ordinance was adopted by the Town in 1992 and helps stabilize rents in mobile home parks.
Project Sentinel assists the Town with administration of the Mobile Home Ordinance. For more information, please contact Scott Bladek at 408-402-0307.
Santa Clara County Annual Income Limits
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development establishes annual income limit definitions, adjusted by household size, for Santa Clara County. These limits are used by many local agencies to determine eligibility for various programs.
Santa Clara County Fair Market Rents
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development establishes annual Fair Market Rent limit definitions for Santa Clara County. These limits are used by the Town to determine allowable rent for the Town’s BMP Program.
Utility Allowance Information
The Housing Authority of Santa Clara County establishes annual utility allowance information for use by landlords and local agencies in determining allowable rents and increases.
Housing Rehabilitation Resources
- East Bay / Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity Rehab Program
- County of Santa Clara HOME Rehab Program
- Rebuilding Together
- Silicon Valley Independent Living Center
Down Payment Assistance Resources
- Housing Trust of Santa Clara County
- County of Santa Clara HOME Down payment Assistance
- California Housing Finance Agency