Topping-off Ceremony Scheduled for Village Affordable Housing Development
New Apartments Will Offer Rent Relief to Elderly, Disabled

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village will hold a topping-off ceremony for its newest affordable housing development on Wednesday, August 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of 16th Street and Imperial Avenue.

   A traditional part of the building process, the topping off signifies the pinnacle of the structure has been reached and the project is half complete.

   San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy, members of the city council, St. Vincent’s board members and Village employees are invited to attend.

   The project, Villa Harvey Mandel, will be comprised of 90 studio apartments and five 1-bedroom units, all of them earmarked for single adults on fixed incomes.

   At the request of Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) and the city, 25 units will be reserved for individuals living with mental illness.

   Future residents of the development will have access to all of the programs and services offered at the Village, including free medical and dental care and a full-service counseling department.

   President of St. Vincent’s, Fr. Joe Carroll, says the apartments, with an average monthly rent of $450, will be the gateway to the East Village.

   "Villa Harvey Mandel will be the first building seen as people exit I-5 on their way to the ballpark or other notable East Village establishments," he says. "Not only will it meet a key need in San Diego by providing much-needed affordable housing, it will also signify an important move towards beautifying the East Village and welcome all San Diegans as they come to enjoy a ballgame, shop or enjoy a meal."

   With affordable housing being of paramount public concern, the April 2003 project completion date could not come at a more crucial time, Fr. Joe says.

   "The elderly, disabled and other individuals on fixed incomes are in desperate need of affordable rent," he says. "Villa Harvey Mandel will be the stopgap between a home and being homeless for many San Diegans."

   For more information on Wednesday’s topping-off ceremony, call
(619) 525-1608.

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