Gilroy approves Hello Housing contract to manage below‑market‑rate housing portfolio

The Gilroy City Council unanimously approved awarding a contract to Hello Housing to administer the city’s below‑market‑rate (BMR) housing program, including monitoring, compliance, and a management portal for applications.

City staff presented the results of an RFP process that produced two proposals. Staff said Hello Housing scored highest among evaluators and offered the lower cost proposal. The recommended contract term is a two‑year base (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028) with three one‑year extension options; staff estimated a five‑year total not to exceed $973,689 if extensions are exercised.

Bryce (staff presenter) said the BMR portfolio includes roughly 250 ownership units and about 2,000 rental units subject to monitoring, along with associated loan compliance and future units as developments come online. The contract includes program setup fees that prompted a small budget amendment of $12,000 spread across the housing trust fund and Los Arroyos fund for FY26‑27.

Councilmembers asked about staffing and oversight; staff emphasized that a housing manager will oversee contracts and that vendor services are specialized—compliance checks, equity‑share calculations, repurchase program administration, outreach and the web portal.

The motion to award the contract and adopt the associated budget amendments passed 7–0 by roll call.

What happens next: the city administrator will execute the contract and staff will begin transition activities with Hello Housing to manage compliance, applications and monitoring for the BMR portfolio.