SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Ground was broken Monday on a new affordable housing project in the Grantville area. San Diego leaders say this critically needed, 100% affordable transit-oriented development is set to begin construction at the Grantville Trolley Station.
The housing project will offer housing options and relief to hundreds of low-income San Diego residents.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), Affirmed Housing, and city officials hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 124-unit housing project, ShoreLINE on Monday.
Mayor Todd Gloria, who’s been championing affordable housing projects recently, spoke at the ground breaking event.
"This project is indicative of the changed attitude in San Diego County. MTS has always been interested in leveraging its properties, but to do it with this public motive in mind of affordable housing and maximizing the opportunity on so many different properties -- that's really inspirational leadership that comes from the top," Mayor Gloria said.
When completed, ShoreLINE apartments will consist of 124 studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments that will remain affordable for 55 years for households with income of 30 percent to 60 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI), or $36,350 to $72,750 per year for a family of four.
Officials discussed the importance of this transit-oriented development, including how it helps San Diego’s housing shortage, assists the region to meet greenhouse gas emission targets, provides affordable housing, and offers more access to jobs and education.
“Nobody out there cares whose land it is. You don’t care whose jurisdiction it is. You want units built. You want affordable housing constructed for people to move in to get where they need to be to have a roof over their head, a place that they can call home. And here in San Diego, our city, our county, our transit agency, our state leaders, we’re working together to get it done,” said San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, who serves as Chair of the MTS Board of Directors.
“Twenty months from now, we’re going to be back with that ribbon cutting, and we’re going to cut that ribbon. It’s going to be hot out here. But there’s going to be children and parents and families who are struggling to afford housing in San Diego who are going to be saying, ‘Thank you so much for building this housing,’” said San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo, who represents Council District 7 where the development is located.
WATCH RELATED: Mayor Gloria releases strategic plan focused on housing, infrastructure. (Jan. 26, 2022)