News Summary
The San Diego City Council has approved the conversion of an indoor skydiving facility into 164 units of affordable housing in East Village. Partnering with Father Joe’s Villages, the project aims to address the housing crisis by providing income-restricted homes for those in need. The initiative features a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments and includes wrap-around services to support residents. Following the approval, the city is focused on securing funding and permits to commence construction.
San Diego – The San Diego City Council has authorized a significant transformation of the city’s indoor skydiving facility located at 1401 Imperial Avenue in East Village. This facility, currently serving as the City’s Homelessness Response Center, will be converted into 164 units of affordable housing. This decision marks a crucial step in addressing the ongoing housing crisis affecting many residents in the region.
The city has approved a partnership with Father Joe’s Villages, a prominent organization providing services for the homeless in San Diego. The property will be sold to Father Joe’s Villages for $7.9 million, which will include a $2.9 million loan from the city to support this vital project. The redevelopment will yield a mix of housing options, featuring 108 studio apartments, 54 one-bedroom apartments, and two two-bedroom units.
All housing units created under this initiative will be income-restricted for 55 years. The target demographic includes households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, ensuring that this new housing serves those with the greatest needs. The initiative has drawn attention from various city officials who believe it will serve as a turning point in the ongoing fight against homelessness.
According to Mayor Todd Gloria, the project’s approval highlights the city’s commitment to resolving the pressing housing shortage. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn referenced the project’s importance in addressing urgent housing needs in East Village, emphasizing the potential it has to change lives for the better.
In addition to providing affordable housing, the new development will offer wrap-around services. These services include physical health care, behavioral health support, employment assistance, and social services, all aimed at helping residents maintain stable housing and improve their quality of life. This approach underscores the holistic perspective that local authorities and service providers take towards tackling homelessness.
The building, which was acquired by the city in 2018 with Community Development Block Grant funding, has been functioning as a homelessness resource center since then. However, due to federal funding regulations, the existing Homelessness Response Center must continue operating until at least December 2025. As a result, the city and the San Diego Housing Commission are actively searching for alternative locations where homelessness services can be provided in the meantime.
As this development project progresses, it remains in the initial planning stages. Father Joe’s Villages must secure full funding, finalize design plans, and obtain necessary permits before construction can begin. There is no timeline yet for when the project will break ground, but city officials are optimistic about the positive impact it will have once underway.
The financial proceeds from the sale of the facility will be reinvested into the City’s Community Development Block Grant program, which benefits low- and moderate-income residents across San Diego. This strategy aligns with the city’s broader efforts to tackle the ongoing housing crisis and improve living conditions for its vulnerable populations.
Overall, the approval to transform the skydiving facility into affordable housing represents a proactive response to the urgent need for homes in San Diego. It reflects a growing recognition that affordable housing is essential not just for shelter, but for creating a community where individuals and families can belong and thrive.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8: Former Skydiving Site to Turn into Affordable Housing
- 10 News: San Diego County Advances Plans for Affordable Housing
- NBC San Diego: Groundbreaking for Affordable Housing in Cortez Hill
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
