November 29, 2017
Nine San Diego Housing Commission Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing Properties Receive Crime-Free Certification
SAN DIEGO, CA — A collaborative program that brings together residents, property managers and law enforcement to create safer communities helped nine San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) multifamily affordable rental housing properties earn a “crime-free” certification from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).
With the addition of these properties, more than 40 SDHC properties have now received certification through the Crime-free Multi-housing Program.
“This program’s collaborative approach is essential to successfully deter crimes in rental properties and to improve the quality of life of residents, which is part of the San Diego Housing Commission’s mission,” SDHC Chairman of the Board Frank Urtasun said at a ceremony to recognize the certification of the nine properties in the neighborhoods of San Ysidro, Nestor, and Otay Mesa West.
Under the program, SDPD provides crime and safety education for property managers and residents. In addition, the properties undergo an inspection to identify safety and security enhancements, such as improved lighting and landscaping.
“It’s also a solution-oriented partnership between law enforcement, rental property owners, managers, and residents that empowers property managers and residents to play a positive role in crime prevention at the neighborhood level,” SDPD Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said.
The program’s crime prevention approach includes three phases:
- Phase 1: Management Training – Property managers receive training on several topics, such as, application screenings, proactive property management, developing safety awareness, and receive tips to strengthen rental agreements, and to spot warning signs of drug activity.
- Phase 2: Safety Inspection – A “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” inspection looks at on-site security measures to increase safety, such as working door locks, lighting, and landscaping improvements.
- Phase 3: Resident Engagement – A community liaison for the police department holds an on-site meeting with residents to provide an overview of the program, and offer personal safety tips and community resources.
The certification ceremony was held at Otay Villas Apartments at 605-695 Picador Boulevard, which includes 78 units of federal public housing that are managed by SDHC. Residents attended the ceremony to celebrate the achievement, and received safety tips from an SDPD community liaison.
Eight SDHC-owned properties also received the certification:
- 121-125 Averil Road
- 2005-2065 Alaquinas Drive
- 178-190 Calle Primera
- 281-289, 391-417 and 402-412 Sycamore Road
- 2381-2389 Grove Avenue
- 1351-1359 Hollister Street
Combined, the nine properties that received certifications have 379 affordable rental apartments that are home to more than 1,300 residents.
SDHC is working toward obtaining “crime-free” certifications for an additional 50 properties by the summer of 2018.
The Crime-free Multi-housing Program is administered by the South Bay Community Change Project in the southern area of San Diego and by Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego in northern and central San Diego. It is funded by the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency.
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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall
Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
(619) 578-7138
scottm@sdhc.org
