In the most recent four months, Our Town St Helena (OTSH) moved 22 affordable rental homes from its “to do” list to the “complete” column.

First, in December 2025, OTSH purchased 12 existing apartments at 1347 and 1357 Monte Vista Avenue and recorded 55-year affordability restrictions on the properties. Built in the early 1970s, we are now working on a rehabilitation project to upgrade the buildings, which will include replacing sewer laterals and roofs, fixture replacements and site improvements. (For more information, see St. Helena Star article here.)

Second, on March 12, 2026, OTSH and its partner, Napa Valley Community Housing, celebrated the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Gamble Grove, a 10-unit affordable rental development at 951 and 963 Pope Street. Many of the residents have moved in while others are preparing to, and a few of the units remain to be leased.

OTSH works very hard to ensure it is meeting its mission to ‘build and preserve quality, affordable housing for living in St. Helena.’ In 2024 OTSH’s board of directors established a goal to build or preserve “105 by 2035.” With these latest accomplishments, added to the completed Brenkle Court (8 ownership townhomes), Christine Apartments (4 preserved rental apartments) and Birch Street (1 below-market single-family rental home), OTSH is exactly one-third of the way to this goal!

We now turn our attention to Fountain Street, approved by the City of St. Helena for 39 affordable rental homes serving low-income residents with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and one manager’s unit. OTSH and Burbank Housing have formed a limited partnership and are now focused on assembling financing for the project. In addition to tax credit and local government funding sources, private donations are making a big impact to the development’s progress. The Phelps family will donate the 1.8-acre parcel for the development, and five local philanthropists have pledged or donated a total of $4.26 million even before a fundraising campaign has launched officially. This is truly a remarkable and generous showing of support.

From with the future completion of Fountain Street, OTSH will be 70 percent of the way to its goal, but that leaves 31+ more homes to go. We are eager to identify opportunities to get us there. If you have any suggestions or know of land or existing rentals that can be sold at a discount or donated, please reach out to me directly at jennifer@ourtownsthelena.org.

It has been almost a decade since the Pope Street workforce housing development began – aka Gamble Grove. It started as four apartments behind an existing house and later expanded to an additional five apartments on the adjacent property for a total of 10 affordable homes (see fact sheet here). This expansion was made possible by a very generous donation from Stephanie and Jim Gamble, in the photo above, for the purchase of the property at 951 Pope Street.

On March 12th, OTSH was excited to co-host the ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony with our partner, Napa Valley Community Housing. Residents have begun moving in to the apartments, while a few units and the cottage remain available. The new neighbors work in a variety of local businesses, including Gott’s Roadside, Four Seasons, Meadowood, St. Helena Hospital, Silverado Orchards Retirement Community, Hall Winery, Central Valley, and Clementine. Our community also includes a landscaper and a childcare provider, bringing even more talent and energy to the neighborhood.

Congressman Thompson donning the scissors with other elected and appointed dignitaries, OTSH and NVCH board members and staff, and key donors

Gamble Grove was made possible by numerous local donors and grantors, featured on this plaque

Quality affordable homes for people who are vital to St. Helena’s vibrancy, for decades to come

Gamble Grove Waitlist Now Open

Applications are now being accepted for Gamble Grove at 963 Pope Street in St. Helena. This workforce rental housing community offers 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, as well as a 2-bedroom cottage, and is centrally located within walking distance to public transportation, schools, shopping, and other daily essentials. The property includes a mix of units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income renters, providing an opportunity for local residents to live close to where they work and stay connected to the St. Helena community.

Know someone who might be a good fit?

Share this website with them to learn more and apply.

Meet Ramona & Iliana

Ramona has lived in St. Helena since she was an early teen, when she moved to the United States with her family 35 years ago. She attended Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School and St. Helena High School and has built her life in this community. She now shares that same experience with her daughter, Iliana, who began at Sun Star Preschool and now attends RLS Middle School.

“I love living in St. Helena because it’s the town I grew up in,” Ramona says. “I like the schools, it’s a quiet town, and it’s close to both of my jobs. It’s where I want my daughter to grow up.”

Ramona has worked at Central Valley for 27 years. She started as a cashier and receptionist and now works as a sales representative in the agricultural department. She works a second job at Hall Winery, going on 11 years, where she helps set up private tastings and events as part of the hospitality team.

Continue reading this blog article HERE.