Date Posted: 10.07.2025
This week, MidPen Housing Corporation invited public- and private-sector partners to celebrate the construction framing of Summer Oaks, a new affordable housing development in Sonoma, California. The project will provide 72 affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for families, including 52 homes reserved for residents who work in farming and agriculture.
“We applaud the State and County leadership and all of our partners for their commitment to much-needed housing, especially for farmworkers who play an essential role in the region’s economy,” said Joanna Carman, senior vice president and co-head of housing development for MidPen. “We can’t wait to welcome 72 families home to Summer Oaks!”
The project received funding from both public and private sources, including the County of Sonoma, the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant and Infill Infrastructure Grant programs, Bank of America, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
Members of the Summer Oaks team at the wall raising event.
Affordable housing is an essential component to building resilience in this community repeatedly impacted by the rising cost of living across the North Bay and natural disasters such as wildfires. The new homes feature cross ventilation, abundant natural light and materials selected for healthy air quality. Amenities support healthy lifestyles, including a fitness room with creek views and indoor/outdoor functionality, outdoor learning and play space for children, and a network of open spaces that invite community gatherings. Residents will enjoy proximity to a neighborhood park and convenient access to other community resources via transit and a robust bike trail network.
“We took cues from the site itself – the existing oaks, the creek, nearby parks and trails, Sonoma’s climate – to create what we hope will be a great place for children and families,” said Mithun partner Anne Torney.
Buildings are sensitively sited to preserve mature trees and define open spaces for residents to engage with the natural world, from the nearby creek to majestic oaks that surround the courtyards. Landscape and buildings support the broader community of birds, squirrels and salamanders that inhabit this place alongside its human residents. The project is pursuing GreenPoint Rated certification.
Mithun provided architecture, landscape architecture and interior design services. The project team includes Adobe, civil; IDA Structural Engineers, structural; Guttmann & Blaevoet, MEP; Steelhead Engineers, waterproofing; Coffman Engineers, acoustical; and Midstate Construction, general contractor. Completion is expected in Fall 2026.
