Casa Familiar’s project to build more than 100 affordable, rent-to-own units and improve access to public transportation in San Ysidro just received the state’s blessing.
The local nonprofit announced last week that it secured $33.71 million in grant funding from the California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities program to help bring the development to fruition.
“This funding is a critical step in our mission to create equitable housing opportunities and to build a community where 103 families can thrive for generations,” Lisa Cuestas, nonprofit executive director, said in a statement. “The Avanzando (Advancing) San Ysidro Community Land Trust project exemplifies our commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.”
Plans include building 103 rental units for low- and moderate-income families that, after 15 years, could be sold to residents for the remaining debt, making them far more affordable than other for-sale properties. All but two of those units would be for households earning 30 to 50 percent of the area median income. In San Diego County, that’s between $45,450 and $75,750 for a household of four.
According to an analysis the nonprofit conducted, the sales prices for units at the 15-year mark are estimated to be from $341,500 to $501,400.
Casa Familiar donated three properties for the community land trust project that will be combined near the 805 and 5 freeways and the Beyer Boulevard light rail station. The sites are about a quarter mile apart, on the corner of Cypress Drive and Blanche Street and by Vista Avenue and Cottonwood Road.
Once built, the mixed-use developments will provide 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom units, commercial spaces and community facilities, according to the organization.
As part of the project, the nonprofit is working with San Marcos-based developer Hitzke Development Corp., the city of San Diego and the Metropolitan Transit System to make several public transit and right-of-way improvements.
Of the grant funding, MTS is getting nearly $13 million to build nine new bus shelters along the 906 and 907 bus routes and expand weekend Trolley service on its Blue Line, which runs from San Ysidro to La Jolla. The city will get $320,000 for improvements to a half-mile of sidewalks with accessible pedestrian curb ramps. San Diego will also use its allocated funds to convert two miles of bike lanes into protected bike lanes that cannot be used by pedestrians or vehicles.
The Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities initiative provides grants and loans for projects that integrate affordable housing and transportation, ultimately helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Besides the San Ysidro project, the Seagaze mixed-use development in Oceanside received $48 million for housing and retail space.
