Event Coverage
Sunnyvale approaching 50 percent mark in homeownership
Sunnyvale Mayor Ron Swegles proudly told Realtors and Affiliates at last week's Cupertino/Sunnyvale Tour Meeting that the city of Sunnyvale is quickly approaching the 50 percent mark in homeownership. Sunnyvale currently has 49.1 percent owner-occupied homes, and the city hopes to do more to make housing more affordable for its residents, according to the mayor.
Swegles said since the city's BMR program is opening up and "the waiting list is virtually gone," the city has opened the program to the 129th Air Rescue group and it is considering extending the program to businesses because officials are concerned the community "is losing principal employees to different cities and states."
Because the real estate market has slowed, Swegles said housing projects in Sunnyvale have started to slow down as well.
"It's cheaper for developers to leave bare land than to sit with empty houses," explained Swegles.
Swegles said the city's downtown plan looks promising and when completed, should have about 700 homes in an area that will feature mixed-use, with the advantage of a train station nearby. Completion of the project, he noted, is currently stalled over issues with the developer. Swegles was uncertain how and when these issues would be resolved.
The Sunnyvale City Council has high hopes for the community, said Swegles. In the near future, he indicated a new development with senior affordable apartments will soon open by Evelyn Avenue.
"We want to make sure our seniors have some place to go as an alternative to the mobile home park that is no longer there," said Swegles.
Swegles did note, manufactured homes on secured communities such as Willow Ranch, are becoming a popular alternative to custom-built homes because they are reasonable - less expensive than custom-built homes, well-designed, well-built, with good insulation and low utility bills. These homes are a "win-win situation" for residents, he said. He encouraged Realtors to look into selling more of these homes.
With regard to public safety, the Sunnyvale mayor noted, even if Sunnyvale does not have a full-time SWAT team, its part-time team finished first among 72 cities and federal and state agencies in the Best of the West contest.
"Sunnyvale is always in the top five safest cities for cities our size," he stated.
The Sunnyvale mayor invited SILVAR Realtors and Affiliates to share their ideas about the future of Sunnyvale at the city's Vision Sunnyvale discussion set for October 28. Watch for details in the newspaper or contact the City of Sunnyvale for more information. He also invited everyone to "Winter Music in the Street," a special event similar to their summer activity, to be held on December 2, Saturday, along Murphy Street. "Winter Music in the Street" will feature music, activities for children and a tree lighting ceremony.
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