Key Highlights
- Helix Electric has broken ground on the Lupina affordable housing project in San Jose.
- The 99-unit mixed-use development includes homes for families transitioning out of homelessness.
- Helix Electric is delivering electrical and low-voltage systems under a $5.8 million contract. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Helix Electric is a leading U.S. electrical contractor with more than 3,000 employees and over $1 billion in annual revenue. It has officially broken ground on the Lupina affordable housing project in San Jose’s Guadalupe Washington neighborhood. Construction began on February 2, marking another step in the company’s expanding role in community-focused development across Northern California.
The project is led by Resources for Community Development (RCD) and is being built in partnership with Nibbi Brothers General Contractors. Helix Electric is providing specialized electrical design and construction services for the six-story, mixed-use development located at 797 Almaden Avenue.
Powering a Community-Focused Development
Under a $5.8 million contract, Helix Electric designed and will install the electrical and low-voltage systems for the 99-unit, 100,000-square-foot building. The electrical infrastructure will support residential units and ground-floor commercial spaces, ensuring reliable power distribution throughout the development.
Jason Pengel, executive vice president of Helix Electric Inc., emphasized the importance of dependable infrastructure in affordable housing projects.
“Every family deserves electrical systems they can count on, especially those rebuilding their lives,” said Jason Pengel, Executive Vice President of Helix Electric Inc. “We design these systems knowing that reliable power means children can do homework, parents can prepare meals, and families can create the stability they need to thrive.”
Supporting Families Transitioning Out of Homelessness
The Lupina development has a strong social focus. RCD has committed to reserving 25 units for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. In addition to residential housing, the project will feature approximately 2,300 square feet of community-serving commercial space, on-site property management, and supportive services designed to help residents achieve long-term stability.
The combination of housing, services, and infrastructure reflects a broader approach to addressing housing insecurity in San Jose.
Expanding Helix Electric’s Affordable Housing Footprint
According to Helix Electric CEO Boris Shekhter, the project aligns with the company’s broader mission to contribute to lasting community development.
“Our work here creates more than electrical connections,” Shekhter said. “We build the invisible foundation that allows families to put down roots and contribute to their community’s future.”
The Lupina project adds to Helix Electric’s growing portfolio of affordable housing developments in the San Jose area. The company is currently providing electrical services for other local projects, including the Kooser Road development and Gateway Tower, demonstrating its ability to deliver technically complex residential systems while operating within the tight budgets typical of affordable housing construction.
With completion projected for 2028, the Lupina project highlights how infrastructure providers like Helix Electric play a critical role in tackling housing challenges. By applying the same level of technical expertise to affordable housing as to large commercial projects, the company is helping support sustainable, long-term solutions to the region’s housing crisis.
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