Latest Affordable Housing Project In Chula Vista's Millenia ‘Urban Village' To Open By End Of 2023

By Editor, Times of San Diego

November 6, 2021

Officials have broken ground on a $102 million affordable housing project in Chula Vista that is set to open in two years.

The Columba development in the Millenia community, south of Otay Ranch Town Center, will include 200 apartments on a three-acre site on Optima Street and Solstice Avenue.

The rent-restricted apartments will be offered to households with incomes from 30 to 60% of the San Diego County Area Median Income – currently from $36,000 to $73,000 for families of four.

Chelsea Investment Corporation is the project developer. Financing partners include Raymond James Tax Credit Fund, Citi Community Capital and the Chula Vista Housing Authority.

Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas and several City Council members joined development and financing partners for Thursday’s groundbreaking.

“The Columba 200-family affordable units in Millenia will be a great asset to the city to help meet the demand for affordable housing,” Salas said.

Columba will include two residential buildings of up to five stories, and a two-story parking structure for 321 vehicles. Apartments will range from 585 to 1,027 square feet with one to three bedrooms and one to two baths.

The development is the third affordable apartment neighborhood by Chelsea in Millenia, a 210-acre urban village by Meridian Development for Stratford Land.

“We are not only proud to be a part of the affordable housing solution, but we are also proud to be a part of changing lives,” said Jim Schmid, Chelsea’s CEO.

Guy Asaro, CEO of Meridian Development, credited the “aesthetic vision” of Chelsea’s plan for the 307,953-square-foot project, designed by Joseph Wong Design Associates of San Diego.

With stepped building faces, designers attempted to create a varied streetscape to contribute to the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere Meridian aimed to achieve in the Millenia community. The exterior of the buildings will feature Hardie Board siding, stucco, metal panel and ceramic tile accents.

“We’re looking forward to the dignified housing and supportive services that Columba will add to Millenia,” he said.

Other development team members include Emmerson Construction, Inc. and GMP Landscape Architecture, both of Carlsbad, and the general contractor, Hunsaker & Associates of San Diego.

Interior amenities include two community rooms, a computer lounge and laundry facilities, Outside, tenants will have access to two private courtyards that feature tot lots, a bocce court, barbecues with shaded picnic areas and a community garden.

Free on-site services, provided by Chelsea’s non-profit partner, Pacific Southwest Community Development Corporation, include adult education and skills classes, such as computer literacy, English as a Second Language, art, job counseling, financial literacy and health and wellness.

The agency also offers an on-site after-school program for a minimum of 10 hours per week for school-age children.

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