August 12, 2020
Grand Opening Celebrates Transformation of Former Motel into 82 Affordable Apartments for Individuals Who Experienced Homelessness
Benson Place, a San Diego Housing Commission partnership development, will remain affordable for 55 years
SAN DIEGO, CA — Nearly eight months after celebrating its groundbreaking, a former motel has a new life as Benson Place, a San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) partnership development with Father Joe’s Villages that will provide stable homes and an opportunity for a fresh start for 82 San Diegans who previously experienced homelessness.
“This is a glimpse not only of the present and what is possible, but this is a glimpse of the future. This is how we spend dollars to make a difference in people’s lives and to get them off the streets now,” Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer said during today’s grand opening, adding that 57 of the 82 residents at Benson Place will come from the temporary shelter at the San Diego Convention Center. “This is a fantastic model that we are looking to replicate in other parts throughout the City of San Diego. This is progress. This is the progress that we desperately need.”
To accommodate social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s grand opening included speakers on-site, as well as remarks provided by video, all of which were streamed through Father Joe’s Villages’ YouTube channel to a broader audience that could not attend in person.
“I want to congratulate Father Joe’s Villages, the San Diego Housing Commission, and Chelsea Investment. The work that you’re doing here is very much going to help many San Diego residents that are in need, but most importantly, I also want to commend you for incorporating the Otay Mesa/Nestor Community Planning Group into this great project,” said City Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who represents Council District 8, where Benson Place is located.
Father Joe’s Villages worked with Chelsea Investment Corporation to rehabilitate the former EZ-8 Motel at 1010 Outer Road, next to Interstate 5 in the Otay Mesa/Nestor area of the City of San Diego, to create affordable housing units with supportive services for San Diegans who experienced homelessness.
“Thank you to Father Joe’s Villages for the tremendous job they’ve done turning a dilapidated, run-down hotel into a beautiful facility that’s going to meet the needs of so many homeless people in the San Diego region,” said San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, who represents Supervisorial District 1, including Benson Place.
SDHC supported the Benson Place development through HOUSING FIRST – SAN DIEGO, SDHC’s homelessness action plan, which has created more than 9,200 housing solutions since November 12, 2014, for San Diegans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
“Benson Place is another great example of converting an underused motel into permanent, affordable rental homes combined with supportive services. This is especially important for the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in the City of San Diego,” SDHC Vice Chair of the Board Ryan Clumpner said. “At Benson Place, 82 individuals who previously experienced homelessness will have a home of their own that they can afford. The rent here will remain affordable for 55 years for individuals with extremely low income.”
Through HOUSING FIRST-SAN DIEGO, SDHC awarded a loan of more than $4.8 million toward the development, formerly known as Hollister Apartments. The loan consisted of federal and local funds that SDHC administers:
- $4,760,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Funds granted to the City of San Diego; and
- $100,000 from the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Fund.
SDHC also awarded 82 federal rental housing vouchers, which will help the residents of Benson Place pay their rent. These vouchers are tied to the units, so that when a resident moves on, the housing voucher remains with the unit to help another individual experiencing homelessness.
The units at Benson Place will be affordable to individuals experiencing homelessness who have annual income of up to 30 percent of the San Diego Area Median Income, currently $24,300 a year for an individual. The development also includes one manager’s unit.
“Benson Place makes a bold statement to all of San Diego about the lives of those who are homeless and provides holistic solutions to end their homelessness,” said the Deacon Jim Vargas, President & CEO Father Joe’s Villages. “Benson Place will pair comprehensive services, case management, mental health services, employment services and other support with housing. This combination will ensure that our neighbors move into homes of their own and are able to retain their housing.”
Funding for Benson Place also included a $3 million donation from Judy Benson and her family.
“It is a thrill for me to see an inspiration become a reality to honor the memories of my late daughter, Pamela Benson Wade, and my recently deceased husband, Roger Benson. I am honored to play a part in Father Joe’s Villages’ huge effort to bring opportunity for a fresh start for 82 individuals in our San Diego community,” Judy Benson said in a statement read by Deacon Vargas.
Father Joe’s Villages will provide some services on-site, and offer free transportation so that residents can access additional services at its downtown San Diego campus.
Lister, who plans to move into Benson Place next week, said he had been homeless because of bad circumstances and bad decisions until Father Joe’s Villages outreach teams connected with him, and he went through their programs.
“No matter what your problem is, if you’re homeless, they will help you,” Lister said. “People are one paycheck away from being homeless, and they know it. Father Joe’s could help you.”
Benson Place also includes 25 units designated for individuals with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness, who will be served by the County of San Diego’s Behavioral Health Services Division. The County of San Diego also provided about $3.8 million in development funding to convert the hotel through the Local Government Special Needs Housing Program of the California Housing Finance Agency.
The total development cost was approximately $24.6 million. Additional funding partners include Pacific Western Bank and The Richman Group.
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall
Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
619-578-7138
