In an initiative to tackle the housing crisis head-on in San Diego, the City Council has given the green light to transform the old, unused Serra Mesa Library into an affordable housing complex. Spearheaded by Mayor Todd Gloria's "Homes for All of Us" program, this move is aimed at providing shelter for low-income families, with a keen focus on vets in particular. The City's partnership with Community HousingWorks is set to convert the 0.34-acre site at 3440 Sandrock Road into 59 cost-friendly units tailored for those earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), as the City of San Diego reports.
Applying a 65-year ground lease, Community HousingWorks has plans to establish 56 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom affordable homes, including one unregulated two-bedroom onsite manager's abode. Having served the community until 2006 and then reduced to a mere storeroom until 2019, the former library space will undergo this meaningful metamorphosis, with the added benefit that a full half of these homes will prioritize military veterans, some of whom are in dire need of supportive services to avert homelessness.
Mayor Gloria has expressed his endorsement of the Serra Mesa Apartments project, citing its alignment with the city's goals to incentivize affordable housing on underused public land in areas replete with resources like transit and schools. The City of San Diego will maintain land ownership through a ground lease arrangement while allowing Community HousingWorks to develop and manage the housing, sharing generated revenue with the city.
According to District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo, as per the City of San Diego, the old library's transformation not only addresses the housing needs of those at risk of homelessness but is also a tribute to military service members, ensuring they "never have to worry about having a safe place to call home." The future affordable housing site will boast amenities ranging from community spaces to practical features like a computer lab and laundry facilities, all centrally located with easy access to everyday necessities.
Sealing the deal, the City Council approved a $4 million Bridge to Home loan to lift the development off the ground. The Bridge to Home initiative has been a cornerstone of Mayor Gloria's affordable housing strategy, financing 17 projects since 2021, resulting in 1,353 affordable homes, according to the City of San Diego. Alongside the Serra Mesa Apartments, the City Council also pushed through a $3.1 million loan for Navajo Family Apartments, earmarking 44 apartments for those earning 60% AMI or less, including a set-aside for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
