Affordable Housing Project Harrington Heights Breaks Ground in East Village Downtown San Diego
03.2024
On January 30th of this year, JWDA joined esteemed City Officials and project stakeholders to break ground on a new mixed-use residential development, Harrington Heights. This project will provide relief for hundreds of the city’s lower income and homeless residents, as well as provide office space for the Alpha Project For The Homeless. Various funding sources support the development, including federal and local funds administered by the San Diego Housing Commission. Please visit the San Diego Housing Commission for more info on the groundbreaking.
Developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation near the intersection of Broadway and 13th Street in San Diego’s East Village, Harrington Heights promises 273 units, of which 270 are designated affordable rental units. The 15-story tower contains a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units, with nearly 50% of the units set aside for permanent supportive housing. Amenities include common outdoor area on levels 3, 7 and 15, shared laundry rooms, multipurpose rooms, community rooms, and on-site supportive services directed by the Alpha Project. The ground floor includes nearly 10,000-SF of commercial space, offices, and residential lobby/leasing office. The project will serve a mix of residents with diverse needs, including unhoused veterans, families and individuals, and families with members who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Harrington Heights will be life-changing for many, best said by City of San Diego Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, whose District 3 includes the development site and SDHC President and CEO Lisa Jones:
“When I speak to community groups, I often refer to this project, Harrington Heights, as an example of the kind of housing that San Diego needs to build,” said San Diego Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, whose District 3 includes the development site. “First, it has a lot of affordable units—270. This project is going to help a lot of people. And second, it’s deeply affordable and permanent supportive housing, which will help people who are struggling the most. This is the type of housing development that I hear from so many San Diego, it’s what they want to see.” -Stephen Whitburn, City of San Diego Councilmember
“When it is completed, the Harrington Heights development will be life-changing for many individuals and families who are struggling economically in our city today,” SDHC President & CEO Lisa Jones said. “More than ever, a stable place to call home with rent that is affordable is essential. And people can’t live their best quality of life without housing, every quality-of-life indicator, education, career opportunities, health, is better with housing. And we know how critical that is. And yet it remains out of reach for so many people.” – Lisa Jones, San Diego Housing Commission President & CEO
Emmerson Construction will be leading the Construction Management with Level-10 retained as General Contractor. Harrington Heights is targeting GreenPoint Rated Gold and is slated for completion October 2025. The JWDA team is led by Joseph O. Wong, FAIA; Bert Shear, RA; Catherine Arreaza, NCARB; and Felicia Ridgeway.
