May 7, 2026
New Development Creates 87 Affordable Rental Apartments in Cortez Hill for San Diegans with Low Income
San Diego Housing Commission’s award of rental vouchers and financing supported construction of Jacaranda on 9th
SAN DIEGO, CA — Jacaranda on 9th, a development in Cortez Hill that celebrated its grand opening today, includes 87 new affordable rental apartments for San Diegans with some of the lowest incomes, including residents who once experienced chronic homelessness, like Isabelle, who hadn’t had a home since 2019.
“When I moved here, I couldn’t believe it. It was a dream. … When the manager gave me the key, it was real. I started to cry because I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t expecting a bed because for a long time I slept on the floor,” Isabelle said at the grand opening.
Community HousingWorks developed the property, whose units will remain affordable for the next 55 years, with financial assistance and federal rental vouchers from the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC). It is located in Cortez Hill, one of Downtown San Diego’s oldest residential neighborhoods.
“To every Downtown resident … I thank you for being welcoming of affordable housing, for understanding that this can make our neighborhoods better, that for all of us who are frustrated by our homelessness crisis, that this is the solution to it,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.
SDHC awarded 14 housing vouchers to the development that are set aside for San Diegans who experienced chronic homelessness and 73 for residents with extremely low income, but who did not experience homelessness.
“As we celebrate today’s grand opening, we are mindful of the profound impact this project will have on the lives of those who now call this building their home,” said Colin Miller, SDHC’s Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development. “Eighty-seven households that would otherwise struggle financially in our high-cost rental housing market—and in some cases have been without housing —now have rental homes they can afford because of Jacaranda on Ninth.”
The housing vouchers are tied to the property, and when a resident moves on, the voucher stays to help another eligible household pay rent at the property. The development also includes one manager’s unit.
SDHC also awarded a loan of up to $5 million toward the Cortez Hill development. The loan consists of federal and local funds SDHC administers:
- $1,816,000 from the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards to the City of San Diego.
- $1,684,000 from the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Fund; and
- $1,500,000 from the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF).
SDHC also authorized the issuance of up to $21.2 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and up to $10.2 million in taxable bonds, which the San Diego City Council approved in its role as the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego.
Private sources of funds, such as revenue from the development, are used to repay the bonds. SDHC, the City of San Diego and the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego are not financially liable for these bonds.
The five-story Jacaranda on 9th development is named after the colorful purple trees, currently in full bloom, that line nearby streets. It consists of 79 affordable one-bedroom apartments and 8 affordable 2-bedroom units.
Site amenities include a courtyard for residents with a dining patio and barbecue area. Inside, the development includes a community room with a kitchen, restrooms and meeting and gathering spaces. An on-site laundry facility is also accessible from the courtyard.
“Jacaranda on 9th stands as a powerful example of what can happen when a city, its partners, and its community comes together with intention. In a neighborhood like Cortez Hill, where housing is both limited and expensive, this development brings something incredibly important: opportunity,” said CHW Board Member Christine Ault.
People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), the lead service provider, offers case management services for the residents who experienced homelessness and additional services for all residents.
“For residents who have experienced homelessness, including chronic homelessness, this level of support helps them rebuild their lives, find stability, and become a part of the community,” said Angie Striepling, Director of Housing Initiatives for PATH. “These programs and services foster connection, strengthen neighborhoods, and help residents truly feel at home.”
Jacaranda on 9th, which was formerly known as the Cortez Hill Apartments, is near several neighborhood amenities, including grocery stores and pharmacies within a mile radius, and is a short distance from Balboa Park.
“As housing affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing our region, Jacaranda at 9th and developments like it play a critical role in supporting Downtown San Diego’s residents by turning housing into opportunity and strengthening the future of our downtown” said Justin Apger, Chief Operations Officer and Executive Vice President of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
The rent for units at Cortez Hill Apartments will be affordable to households with income of 30 percent to 40 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income, or $39,700 to $52,950 per year for a two-person household, though the development targets families earning 25 percent of AMI.
Connect with SDHC on social media:
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall,
Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
619-578-7138
scottm@sdhc.org
