Even with a $25 million price tag, a new housing complex that broke ground this week in Madera is considered affordable housing.
The project is situated along Highway 99 near South Madera Avenue will offer 52 units. That averages to more than $480,000 a unit.
“Unfortunately, whenever you hear low-income housing in the state of California, I think all that means are the people that are able to rent the housing (are low income),” said Madera County Supervisor Rob Poythress, a self-described fiscal conservative. “But really, the cost is just atrocious.”
Even with the increased costs compared to market-rate housing — which Poythress says is because of state mandates like guaranteed labor rates and building standards — he’s glad its coming to his area.
