Two New Affordable Housing Buildings Open in SoCal

Bluewater and Stella. Image courtesy of Affirmed Housing

Affirmed Housing has opened two new affordable housing communities—Stella and Bluewater—in San Diego that will provide a total of 160 apartments for formerly homeless residents, low-income individuals and families and those with special needs. The developments, which cost a total of $63 million to construct, are adjacent to each other in the Grantville neighborhood. 

Stella, which is located at 4304 Twain Ave. and cost $29 million to build, has a mix of 80 studios and one-bedroom supportive housing apartment homes for formerly homeless individuals and those with special needs. It will offer on-site services to residents through its partners, Interfaith Community Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The developer broke ground on Bluewater at 6121 Fairmount Ave., in January 2018. The $34 million Bluewater development has 80 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for low-income households earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). It features on-site management, energy-efficient appliances and airy common areas. The building also has a community kitchen, gathering areas and multi-purpose space. Both properties are located within a half-mile of the Grantville Trolley stop and are close to grocery stores, restaurants and healthcare services.

Affirmed Housing’s development partners include: IVY Landscape Architects, Suffolk, Studio E. Architects, Kettler Leweck Engineering, NEXUS for Affordable Housing, Interfaith Community Services and Solar Enterprises. Funding partners include: Boston Capital, California Community Reinvestment Corp., US Bank, City of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/Housing and Community Development, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Regional Task Force on the Homeless and Century Housing.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in prepared remarks the completion of the new apartments brings the city’s strategy to reduce homelessness full circle. Several of those moving into the new units first got assistance at one of the city’s bridge shelters and will now have permanent housing, he said.

Making California Affordable 

Led by President James Silverwood, San Diego-based Affirmed Housing has financed more than $1.4 billion in affordable development, with about 4,100 units developed or under development in 52 communities. In April, the company broke ground on Della Rose, a 50-unit community designed to address chronic homelessness and the needs of low-income households in Orange County, Calif. 

Also in April, Affirmed began construction on The Link, an 86-unit affordable housing project in downtown San Diego. A month earlier, Affirmed team with PATH affiliate PATH Ventures to open phase one of PATH Metro Villages in the Silverlake submarket of Los Angeles.