San Diego's affordable housing landscape is set to expand with the groundbreaking of The Iris at San Ysidro, a new development spearheaded by National CORE in collaboration with the City of San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission, and county and city officials. The project, which begins construction on Thursday, targets low-income families and individuals, offering 100 apartments below 60% of the area's median income. NBC San Diego reports that the development will include a range of units to cater to different household sizes and will feature 15 homes specifically reserved for residents encountering homelessness or those at risk.
The Iris, a transit-oriented community shaped to enhance the lives of its future residents, is not only a beacon of affordable housing but, thanks to a substantial $5 million state grant, will be surrounded by revamped community infrastructure, including a revitalized park, a crosswalk designed for pedestrian safety and street repairs that promise to upgrade the neighborhood. NBC San Diego details these enhancements as a stride towards enriching residents' quality of life, with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria affirming that high-quality parks and efficient, safe transportation are essential for growing communities.
Focusing on the substantive community benefits, National CORE's vice president of acquisitions, John Seymour, commented on the vital contributions of the state of California to the project, notably the transformation of Howard Lane Park into an accessible gathering place and the installation of a HAWK crosswalk system, which aims to significantly increase pedestrian safety across the area. The improvements were detailed by National CORE, highlighting the project's proximity to essential amenities such as a trolley station, health facilities, and schools, demonstrating the development's integration with the broader needs of the San Ysidro neighborhood.
On social media, National CORE expressed gratitude to partners involved in making The Iris a reality, including Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Vivian Moreno, reflecting a communal effort toward addressing San Diego's housing shortfall. National CORE President Mike Ruane emphasized the organization's drive to not only construct housing but also to invest in neighborhood services like parks and street improvements to serve the entire community. The sentiment was echoed in a Facebook post thanking the local leadership and Wells Fargo for their partnership.
The completion of The Iris at San Ysidro is slated for the summer of 2025, signaling a notable step forward in the concerted effort to confront the affordable housing crisis in San Diego. Councilmember Vivian Moreno described the development as "a step in the right direction" in a statement obtained by NBC San Diego as the city continuously seeks ways to build additional housing units for those in need.
