A long-delayed affordable housing complex in North Fair Oaks hit a turning point this week as residents started moving into Middlefield Junction. The Mercy Housing development sits on county land that was badly damaged by a construction fire in June 2024. Developers, county leaders and new tenants gathered for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the first wave of move-ins.
Middlefield Junction, at 2700 Middlefield Road, includes 179 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, according to Mercy Housing. The nonprofit lists on-site amenities such as courtyards, a resident lounge and community event space. Mercy Housing’s project page also notes that some apartments are reserved for program referrals and vouchers, while the remaining homes are income-restricted.
Fire Nearly Blew Up The Timeline
The development was almost wiped out on June 3, 2024, when an eight-alarm blaze gutted the larger of the two buildings during construction. Investigators later ruled the cause undetermined and said the fire likely started on the fifth floor, spreading quickly because the structure was open and not yet weather-sealed, according to KQED. Fire crews from across the Bay Area responded, and no serious injuries were reported.
Move-ins Start As Demand Surges
Residents began moving into the rebuilt building in March, and more than half the units are now occupied, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. Mercy Housing boosted its leasing staff to handle applications after more than 2,000 households tried for the 179 homes. Project managers said the speedy rebuild kept delays relatively short and let families move in sooner than many had expected.
Child Care And Supportive Homes On Site
The property also includes an on-site child care center that is planned to serve up to 36 infants and toddlers, according to documents posted as part of Mercy Housing’s child care request for proposals (Mercy Housing). Of the 179 apartments, a portion are reserved for households referred through programs like Healthy Housing California and for project-based vouchers, while the rest are income-restricted. Developers say that mix is intended to help long-time Peninsula families stay in the area while also offering targeted support to residents exiting homelessness.
Neighbors And Officials Mark A Comeback
San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier called Middlefield Junction “more than just new buildings” and a testament to the neighborhood’s resilience, according to a county news release. Mercy Housing officials thanked contractors, funders and neighbors for helping the project reopen quickly. New residents, along with families who arrived earlier this year, joined the celebration and cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the occasion.
Why The Opening Still Packs A Punch
San Mateo County faces a significant shortage of deeply affordable homes, and officials say developments like Middlefield Junction are critical to closing that gap, KQED reported. The fire and rebuild also highlighted vulnerabilities during construction, particularly when framing and combustible materials are exposed and sprinkler systems are not yet operating. Planners point to the site’s recovery as an example of how public, nonprofit and private partners can keep a project moving after a disaster…