The San Diego housing landscape just got a little more inclusive with the unveiling of 228 new affordable rental homes for lower-income families in Clairemont. The Modica and Taormina Family Apartments, perched on Mt. Etna Drive, are the latest additions to the area's transformation, which once housed the Sheriff’s Crime Lab. Mayor Todd Gloria remarked at the ribbon-cutting, per the San Diego Housing Commission, "Every week, every ribbon that we cut, we are seeing real progress in our shared effort to ensure that all San Diegans have a place to call home." Chelsea Investment Corporation spearheaded the development with support from multiple government agencies and the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
City Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell, representing the district housing these developments, noted, "This is a big step toward reducing San Diego’s housing shortage" and suggested these homes stand as a high-quality solution for city residents. A ground lease for the land came from the County to Chelsea for a 99-year term, and funding also was allocated via the County's Innovative Housing Trust Fund. Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe pointed out, per SDHC, "Today, we are seeing the second and third properties open doors at this location, where land was offered by the County through its initiative to use excess County sites to develop affordable housing."
Regarding financing specifics, the SDHC committed a $3 million loan to the Modica project alone, a mix of federal and local monies under SDHC's stewardship, including $2.4 million from the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Taormina snagged eight rental housing vouchers as part of the deal, ensuring ongoing affordability as apartments change hands. "A stable, affordable place to call home is an essential foundation that families need to thrive," SDHC President and CEO Lisa Jones expressed, as per the San Diego Housing Commission.
The intertwined operations at the site also include the previously opened Paul Downey Senior Residence, which provides another 78 affordable units for seniors. A fourth development, the Terrasini Senior Apartments, is also in the pipeline, promising an additional 94 affordable homes for low-income seniors. With bonds being recycled through a nifty collaboration between the SDHC, the City of San Diego, and the California Housing Finance Agency, these initiatives represent a concerted effort to repurpose available resources effectively — and cheaply — for the greater public good.
