National City is on the mend to significantly increase its affordable housing inventory with the recent groundbreaking of Union Tower. As detailed by the County of San Diego, it is situated at 2312 F Ave. This upcoming development is poised to infuse the community with 94 affordable homes. The project is the first stride in a broader eight-phase plan to increase the area's budget-friendly living options.
Upon completion, Union Tower will boast 45 one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-bedroom apartments, 24 three-bedroom apartments, and one unit designated for a manager. A remarkable facet of this initiative is the reservation of 24 apartments specifically for veterans. These will come with supportive services, including case management, physical and mental health care, and service coordination.
Caroline Smith, interim director of the Health and Human Services Agency, emphasized the County of San Diego's commitment to affordable housing, with over $314 million directed into it since 2017. Smith further detailed the County's support for Union Tower: "Our $3.5 million investment in Union Tower from the Innovative Housing Trust Fund and allocation of 24 vouchers for veterans will help keep these homes affordable for generations to come."
Strategically located for convenience between Interstates 5 and 805, Union Tower residents can easily access public transportation, shopping centers, and other community amenities. This project began through a collaboration involving the County, the City of National City, San Diego County’s Building Trades Unions, Wakeland Housing and Development, and many other stakeholders. For interested tenants, the process to potentially call Union Tower home will begin in the summer of 2025, with construction wrapping up in the spring of 2027.
