Fountain Street
As housing costs continue to rise, many of the workers who sustain St. Helena’s economy and quality of life can no longer afford to live in the community they serve. In fact, roughly 75% of local workers commute long distances to their jobs each day.
Fountain Street is an opportunity to address this challenge in a meaningful way. By creating 40 rental homes affordable to working households, this development will help ensure that those who support our community have the opportunity to live here as well.
Location and Site
Approximately 1.8-acre vacant parcel bounded by Highway 29, Mills Lane, Dowdell Lane, and Fountain Street. Across Main Street from St. Helena High. Zoning: High Density Residential
Project Type
100% deed restricted affordable housing.
Affordability
Homes will serve households earning 60% or less of Napa County Area Median Income.
More than a housing development, Fountain Street is an investment in the long-term vitality of our community. Stable housing strengthens families, reduces commuting burdens, supports local businesses, and helps preserve the diverse workforce that St. Helena depends upon every day. It creates opportunities for residents to put down roots, participate in community life, and build a future in the place they call home. The development will provide homes for individuals and families, gathering spaces that foster connection, and sustainable features that support environmental stewardship.
Housing Units
- 39 affordable rental apartments
- 1 manager’s unit
- Mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments
- Unit sizes ranging from approximately 685 to 1,110 square feet
Resident Amenities
- Community hub with indoor and outdoor gathering spaces
- Central play area
- Landscaped open space
- Bicycle storage
- Public art opportunity
Sustainability Features
- Solar panels
- Low water-use fixtures
- Water-efficient landscaping
- Stormwater management through bioretention design
Development
- Three residential buildings
- Three stories each
- Approximately 49,932 square feet of residential space
- 56 parking spaces
- 16 bicycle spaces
Our Town St Helena has partnered with Burbank Housing, a highly experienced affordable housing developer (also a non-profit organization) with successful projects throughout the North Bay and Napa.
The Fountain Street Project Application was approved by the City of St. Helena on October 31, 2025. The development team is now working on assembling financing and funding for the project.
The site plan is below. The project includes a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, a community hub with indoor and outdoor common areas, a central play area, a bioretention area that doubles as a passive recreation space, solar panels, bicycle storage, low water-use fixtures and landscaping, and a public art opportunity. For more information on this project you can read our Fountain Street Quick Facts document.
We will be competing with other rural communities for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits which will be the main source of financing. Applications with the highest level of local funding commitments will receive the best tie-breaker scores and receive awards. Once awards are issued, the applicant has 180 days to start construction.
The City of St. Helena has committed to provide a $3.3 million loan to Fountain Street from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It is now up to our community to close the $10 million gap by contributing to a development that will provide homes for up to 200 people who will be able to work and live in St. Helena. The more funds committed this year, the higher the likelihood we will get federal tax credits and start construction in 2027. Please help us get Fountain Street over the finish line!
To make a donation, please make checks payable to “Napa Valley Community Foundation” with “Fountain Street Fund” in the memo line, and mail to Napa Valley Community Foundation at 3299 Claremont Way, Suite 4, Napa, CA 94558. If you have questions, please contact any member of our team.
Fountain Street Campaign Contacts
Jennifer La Liberte, Executive Director (707) 812-9839, jennifer@ourtownsthelena.org
Michael Collins, Campaign Chair (650) 799-9455, collinsmichael2013@gmail.com
Mary Stephenson, Consultant Volunteer (707) 849-2583, stepcomm@aol.com