Talmadge Senior Village Debuts in San Diego
Published by League of California Cities: Focus on Housing

When choosing a site for affordable housing, two obvious choices exist – developing a new site, or revitalizing an existing one. San Diego’s Talmadge Senior Village is a successful example of the latter.

Opened in late 2006, the $18.6 million mixed-use development replaced an older motel at 5252 El Cajon Boulevard, a location that places Talmadge in close proximity to vital senior services such as public transportation, grocery markets, parks, medical centers and pharmacies.

Talmadge offers 90 affordable housing units, as well as commercial and community spaces to low-income seniors. It is also one of the first projects approved for funding from San Diego’s Affordable Housing Collaborative Program and the first to be constructed.

The project was worked on jointly between the city of San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission and Redevelopment Agency, and the developer, Southern California Housing Development Corporation (So Cal Housing). Built on .87 acres, the development also offers 3,362 square feet of commercial space, underground parking and a 1,573-square-foot senior activity and wellness center.The senior center will serve as a gathering place for the community’s elder citizens, and will offer health, educational and social services provided by the Hope Through Housing Foundation, a division of So Cal Housing. The foundation will operate a physical therapy center exclusively designed for seniors, in partnership with Intergro Physical Therapy, Inc. "Creating more affordable housing for San Diegans is a priority for my administration," said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. "This quality development, representing a partnership between the City and So Cal Housing, shows that we can build attractive, affordable housing that features smart growth concepts such as amenities for residents, commercial space for the community and accessibility along a transportation corridor."

To build the complex, the San Diego Housing Commission purchased the land from the development partner in a sale-leaseback agreement. This arrangement ensures that the restricted units remain affordable even after the end of the initial 55-year affordability term.

Talmadge Senior Village: At a Glance

Built: 2006
Number of Affordable Housing Units: 90
Total Cost: $18.6 million

Financial Breakdown:

• Redevelopment Agency
  (CCDC -Downtown Funds):  $3.6 million
  (City Redevelopment - City Heights Funds): $1.7 million
• San Diego Housing Commission: $1.9 million
• Private Lenders/Tax Credits: $11.2 million
• Developers Equity: $200,000