New affordable apartments open in Clairemont for low-income families

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Two new affordable housing developments have opened in Clairemont, adding 228 rental homes for low-income families as part of San Diego’s ongoing effort to address the region’s housing crisis.

The Modica and Taormina Family Apartments, built on the former site of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Crime Lab, are the latest step in transforming public land into much-needed housing. The developments are located on Mt. Etna Drive in Clairemont.

“Mt. Etna is part of a bigger story—one where 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,” said Mayor Todd Gloria at the opening event on Tuesday.

Developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation in partnership with the City of San Diego, County of San Diego and the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), the apartments will remain affordable for the next 55 years to households with low to moderate incomes.

Key features of the developments include:

• Modica Family Apartments: 93 affordable units for families, with 24 reserved for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Taormina Family Apartments: 135 affordable units, with 34 similarly reserved for residents with disabilities.
• Rent will be affordable to households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income — currently ranging from $49,600 to $132,400 annually for a family of four.
• A total of 58 units across both properties are equipped with accessible features, including roll-in showers and grab bars, to support residents with disabilities.

“Many of these families will now have a home in a supportive community they can be proud of,” said Ryan Lundergan, Chelsea’s Senior Development Manager. “These two projects represent a significant milestone—a victory toward progress in providing affordable housing options that previously have been out of reach for so many San Diegans.”

The San Diego Housing Commission supported the developments with a $3 million loan for Modica and eight rental vouchers for Taormina. These vouchers are tied to the apartments, ensuring continued affordability even as tenants move out.

“A stable, affordable place to call home is an essential foundation that families need to thrive at work, in school, with their health and in community connection,” said Lisa Jones, SDHC President and CEO.

The apartments also mark a step forward in creating more inclusive housing. The San Diego Regional Center, in collaboration with the Southern California Housing Collaborative, will provide services for the units set aside for residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“It’s life-changing for most of the individuals we support who will call one of these 58 units their home — their first home for the first time,” said Kate Kinnamont, Associate Executive Director at the San Diego Regional Center.

This week’s ribbon-cutting comes on the heels of the January opening of the Paul Downey Senior Residence, which added 78 affordable units for low-income seniors at the same site. A fourth development, Terrasini Senior Apartments, is still under construction and will bring 94 additional affordable homes for seniors once complete.

“This is a big step toward reducing San Diego’s housing shortage by providing affordable, high-quality housing for all of our City residents,” said City Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell, who represents the Clairemont area.

These projects mark a major investment in long-term affordable housing solutions in San Diego.