St. Vincent’s to Break Ground on Affordable Housing Complex
As Rental Market Continues to Tighten, New Apartments Will Give Hope to Working Poor

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village will break ground on an affordable apartment project on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 11:30 a.m. at the site of the new construction, located at the corner of Imperial Avenue and 17th Street.

   The six-story building, named Villa Harvey Mandel after a longtime St. Vincent’s vice president, will be comprised of 90 studio apartments and five 1-bedroom units.

   The apartments will rent for an average of $450 per month and will provide permanent housing to single adults on fixed incomes. St. Vincent’s will honor a request by Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) and the City of San Diego to reserve 25 units for individuals coping with mental illness.

   Residents of the new development will have access to all programs offered at the Village’s main Imperial Avenue facility, including free medical and dental services and a full-service counseling department.

   President of St. Vincent’s, Fr. Joe Carroll, says the new construction represents only the beginning of a downtown development boost which must recognize the need for affordable rental units.

   "San Diego is a desirable place to live," says Fr. Joe. "Unfortunately, when you’re faced with a situation of high demand and low supply, which is the case in the local housing market, home sellers and landlords can name their price and they usually get what they’re asking for.

   "The result is the working poor are literally left out in the cold," he says. "Now they will have an option other than the streets."

   The development will break ground next to Village Place Apartments, a 44-unit affordable living complex opened in 1997 that is owned and managed by St. Vincent’s. Village Place is also home to a county-run elementary school.

   For more information on St. Vincent de Paul Village’s ground breaking, call (619) 525-1608. For information on other services, call (619) 687-1000.

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