February 9, 2023
Grand Opening Celebrates 111 New Affordable Rental Apartments Developed in Collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission
Apartments at The Orchard at Hilltop will remain affordable for 55 years for households with low income
SAN DIEGO, CA — The transformation of a formerly vacant property in the Chollas View community into new affordable rental apartments is giving residents like Damien a place to “survive” and save some of their income.
“Moving here has been such a gift,” Damien said at the grand opening today of The Orchard at Hilltop, developed in collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC). “Now I can survive, and now I’m able to afford to put some of my money every month away toward the equipment I use for my video work and my animation work. That means a lot. So please keep doing what you’re doing, just keep doing it. It’s so important. There’s so many people out there just like me that need it.”
Developed by Affirmed Housing Group with financing from SDHC, The Orchard at Hilltop consists of 111 affordable rental apartments for individuals and families with income from 30 to 60 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income, currently $39,050 to $78,060 per year for a family of four. Rents will remain affordable for 55 years.
“Deep gratitude on behalf of the City of San Diego to the Silverwood family and to Affirmed Housing,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said. “This is not the first project we’ve done together. I know it won’t be the last either, but what I know about all those projects is that they’re high quality, very, very good projects that uplift neighborhoods and actually make my job easier as I try to explain to folks why we have to build more housing.”
SDHC awarded 25 federal rental housing vouchers that will help pay rent for some residents at the property. SDHC also awarded an $8.3 million loan toward the development. The loan consisted of federal and local funds SDHC administers:
- $4.3 million from HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded to the City of San Diego; and
- $4 million from the City of San Diego Affordable Housing Fund
“The Orchard at Hilltop provides 111 households with low income the opportunity to come home to a quality, affordable rental apartment that meets their needs and fits their budgets,” SDHC Vice President of Multifamily Housing Finance Jennifer Kreutter said.
In addition, SDHC authorized the issuance of more than $27.8 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and $3.4 million in taxable bonds to support this development. The City Council, in its role as the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego, approved the bonds. SDHC, the City of San Diego and the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego are not financially liable for the bonds. Private sources of funds, such as revenue from the development, are used to repay the bonds.
“Affordable housing for all Californians continues to be a top priority for the treasurer,” said Gloria Perlas Pulido, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s External Affairs Officer for Southern California. “Access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing is critical for increasing economic mobility in California and in the United States. More importantly, the project will allow San Diego residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to take care of their families and have a place to call home.”
The State Treasurer’s Office includes the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, which administers Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds.
The development is within walking distance of San Diego Metropolitan Transit System bus routes and is located about a mile from the 47th Street Trolley Station. Also within walking distance are parks, schools, a San Ysidro Health Center location and the Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library.
“Getting to this moment today has been an exciting journey over the past seven years, and it’s especially special for me as I’ve been along for the ride from the beginning,” Affirmed Housing President Jimmy Silverwood said. “After numerous failed attempts by others to develop the vacant site, Affirmed and our partners were able to come up with a concept that had support from the community, the planning department, City Council and included a plan that also was financeable.”
On-site amenities include a community building, basketball court, gardening space, community room and outdoor gathering areas. Residents also have access to an adjacent swimming pool and recreational lawn that are part of a market-rate development.
Compass for Affordable Housing will provide supportive services for residents, such as educational information. ConAm will manage the property.
The Orchard at Hilltop includes studios and one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units.
Additional partners for the development included NEXUS for Affordable Housing, Boston Financial, Boston Capital Finance and Western Alliance Bank.
For more information about SDHC, visit www.sdhc.org
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
