SAN DIEGO–Built with the understanding that a safe, stable place to call home benefits not only families, but the community at large, Civic San Diego joined community and elected leaders today to celebrate the grand opening of the Alpha Square Apartments in East Village. The 201 new affordable units offered by the project will also include mental health services and training programs to equip tenants with the skills needed to transition into San Diego’s workforce.
The project, located at 550 14th St., was constructed through a strategic partnership between Chelsea Investment Corp., Alpha Project, the San Diego Housing Commission and Civic San Diego. With the City’s approval acting as the Successor Housing Agency, Civic San Diego allocated $17 million in funding from its Low-and-Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund for this $47 million housing development.
“Civic San Diego is pleased to be a strategic partner in the Alpha Square Apartments project,” said CivicSD President Reese A. Jarrett. “This project is a result of our dedication to continue the development of affordable housing in this post-redevelopment era and is an example of what can happen through public-private partnerships when the community unifies its efforts to address critical housing needs.”
The six-story building includes studio living units ranging from 250-375 square feet and serves households earning between 30-60 percent of area median income. Its location near public transit options will also serve as a benefit to those seeking affordable and sustainable transportation to and from work.
The project includes an on-site learning center where residents can access workforce development training and financial literacy workshops. Additionally, there is 5,417 square feet of ground floor retail space and a commercial kitchen that community partner Alpha Project plans to use for restaurant and job training.
“Our significant investment in this project demonstrates Civic San Diego’s capacity as an entrepreneurial partner to assemble the site and provide essential funding needed to make this vision a reality and improve San Diego’s urban centers like East Village to ensure housing options for everyone,” added Jarrett.
Fifty-one of the affordable units in Alpha Square are designated as supportive units for individuals with special needs, including those who were formerly homeless.
Since the dissolution of redevelopment, Civic San Diego has participated in the completion of more than 1,000 new affordable units, with almost 1,400 additional units currently under construction or in the pipeline.
