TO: RULES AND OPEN
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: Erik L. Soliván
SUBJECT: The Cost of Residential
Development in San José
Study Session
DATE: October 29, 2025
Approved Date:
10/30/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Set a City Council Study Session entitled The Cost of Residential Development in San José for Monday, December 8, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and approve the Study Session agenda.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Study Session is to provide the City Council with an updated report on the Cost of Residential Development, including the economics of residential development and the primary barriers to new housing production in San José. The Report will include consultant-prepared analyses that evaluate total development costs for both affordable and market-rate housing.
OUTCOME
The information provided through the presentation will help the City Council as it considers future policy changes to deliver on the Building More Housing Focus Area goals.
BACKGROUND
The report on the Cost of Residential Development has been an ongoing work item on the City’s Housing Catalyst Work Plan. The City Council has received four previous reports in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. The report has continued to be a valuable tool in RULES COMMITTEE: 11/5/25
ITEM: B.2
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
October 29, 2025
Subject: The Cost of Residential Development in San José Study Session
order to understand both the factors within the City’s control and outside the City’s control that influence the viability of new housing construction.
ANALYSIS
A Study Session agenda accompanies this memorandum. The City Council and participants will be provided with background information to help frame the discussion.
The format will include a staff presentation, perspectives from affordable and marketrate housing developers, and City Council discussion, followed by public comment. The Study Session is informational and no action by the City Council is requested at the Study Session.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office. /s/
Erik L. Soliván
Director, Housing Department
For questions, please contact Banu San, Deputy Director, Housing Department, at [email protected] or (408) 975-4489.
ATTACHMENT
Study Session Agenda
City Council Meeting Agenda
Study Session
The Cost of Residential Development in
San José
Monday, December 8, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Council Chambers, City Hall
City Council Study Session Agenda December 8, 2025
• Call to Order and Roll Call
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Study Session – The Cost of Residential Development in San José Council Chambers, City Hall
STUDY SESSION
Purpose: The purpose of the Study Session is to provide the City Council with an updated report on the Cost of Residential Development, including the economics of residential development and the primary barriers to new housing production in San José. The Report will include consultant-prepared analyses that evaluate total development costs for both affordable and market-rate housing.
Outcome: The information provided through the presentation will help the City Council as it considers future policy changes to deliver on the Building More Housing Focus Area goals.
1. Staff Overview
2. Presentation on Affordable and Market-Rate Housing Reports
3. Perspectives from Industry Experts
4. City Council Questions and Discussion
• Public Comment
Members of the public may comment on agendized items only at this Study Session. There will be no Open Forum. Cal. Govt. Code §54954.3(a).
• Adjournment