From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
A vacant portion of a transit station parking lot will be transformed into nearly 100 new affordable rental apartments for families with lower income through the new construction of SkyLINE Apartments, which celebrated its groundbreaking today in Rancho Bernardo.
“Projects like SkyLINE, with this incredible constellation of organizations all working in the same direction, doesn’t just give me hope, but I think gives hope to many San Diegans that wonder whether or not there’s a future for them here in San Diego,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said. “SkyLINE and projects like it are proof positive that if you’re willing to work hard, we will do everything we possibly can to make a place for you here, that you belong here, that we want you here.”
Affirmed Housing is developing SkyLINE Apartments in collaboration with the City of San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), the Couty of San Diego, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and many additional organizations.
“SkyLINE will bring much-needed affordable housing units to the Rancho Bernardo community,” San Diego City Councilmember and MTS Board Chair Stephen Whitburn said. “This development goes beyond affordable housing. It also aims to build a thriving community with amenities for residents to balance their daily lives with work and school and social activities, raising families, and much more. Additionally, SkyLINE will make it convenient for its residents to connect with the rest of San Diego by offering accessible transit just steps away from their front door.”
“This is the second groundbreaking we’re having in Rancho Bernardo for affordable housing with Affirmed,” said San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who represents the Council District where SkyLINE is being built. “We pushed for years to get affordable housing up here in District 5 up here into Rancho Bernardo and Scripps Ranch. … I’m so honored to have this in District 5.”
The County of San Diego awarded a loan toward the financing for SkyLINE.
“A hundred homes for low income is really important to the County. It’s important for our region, and I just want to thank everybody that helps and participates,” said County of San Diego Supervisor Joel Anderson, whose supervisorial district includes Rancho Bernardo and who proclaimed today as SkyLINE day in the County.
SkyLINE will consist of 99 affordable rental apartments for households earning 30 percent to 55 percent of the San Diego Area Median Income (AMI), or between $41,350 to $75,790 per year for a family of four. The property will also have one unrestricted manager’s unit.
“New affordable housing has never been more desperately needed than it is today,” SDHC Vice Chair of the Board Ryan Clumpner said. “That is why this groundbreaking is so important. It is a significant milestone toward the creation of 100 new affordable rental apartments here in Rancho Bernardo.”
SDHC awarded 30 federal rental housing vouchers to the SkyLINE development to help pay rent for residents with the lowest income, 30 percent of AMI. These vouchers are tied directly to this development. When a household moves on, the voucher stays to help another household with low income.
In addition, SDHC authorized the issuance of $42.5 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the development. The City Council, in its role as the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego (Housing Authority), approved the bonds. SDHC, the City of San Diego, and the Housing Authority are not financially liable for the bonds. Private sources of funds, such as revenue from the development, are used to repay the bonds.
“SkyLINE will be that beacon of hope for 100 deserving families. Today would not be possible without Affirmed’s partnership with MTS and their dedication to providing housing, especially affordable housing at its transit-rich locations with land throughout the county,” Affirmed Housing President Jimmy Silverwood said.
Financing for the development includes a $5 million loan from the City of San Diego through the Bridge to Home program, a $2 million loan from the County of San Diego through its Innovative Housing Trust Fund, and a nearly $4.5 million Infill Infrastructure Grant from the State of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development.
The apartments at SkyLINE will consist of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units that will remain affordable for 55 years. The development is being built on a vacant portion of an MTS parking lot at the Rancho Bernardo Transit Station.
ConAm Management Corporation will manage SkyLINE Apartments, and Compass for Affordable Housing will provide resident services to the property’s tenants. These services include adult education, health and wellness classes, financial literacy, nutrition, exercise, art, parent, food preparation, career building, job readiness, computer education, voter registration, and activities to develop community leadership, among other enrichment activities.
Each of SkyLINE’s apartments will include air conditioning, blinds and kitchen amenities, including refrigerator, oven, disposal, dishwasher and microwave. The property will be built to conform with the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee’s minimum energy efficiency standards with the inclusion of a rooftop photovoltaic solar energy system, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) lighting, and energy efficient appliances.
Site amenities include a children’s play area, a community room with a computer room, shaded outdoor gathering spaces with built-in seating and a leasing office.