Affirmed Housing has completed a 96-unit affordable housing community in San Marcos, California.
Estrella brings new housing options for families earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI).
“These projects demonstrate the city’s leadership and commitment to providing quality resources that enhance everyday living for hardworking families and individuals,” said Affirmed Housing president Jimmy Silverwood. “Estrella is an investment in the people of San Marcos, which is the best investment a city can make. This community raises the bar and serves as an example of what can happen when stakeholders align and focus on the common goal of doing what is right.”
Estrella joins sister development Alora, concluding the two-phase redevelopment of a former affordable housing complex, Mariposa, and resulting in a net gain of 126 affordable housing apartments overall. To increase the city’s housing stock, Affirmed Housing demolished a single-story, 70-unit complex and recorded a new parcel map to make way for both new projects.
In addition to Estrella’s 96 apartments, Alora, which was completed last year, brought another 100 apartments online for families and individuals earning between 30% and 80% of the AMI.
In developing Estrella, Affirmed Housing used a big-picture, sustainability-minded approach that aims to support residents’ overall health and well-being. In addition to featuring the latest energy-saving and water-wise technologies throughout the complex, Estrella is designed to foster community engagement and accessibility. Residents have access to complimentary, on-site services such as computer training and resume-building resources and programs focused on health and wellness, financial literacy, and parenting. A dedicated service coordinator is in place, in partnership with Compass for Affordable Housing, to plan and organize community-building activities and events.
The $51 million development features four residential buildings containing a mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and each has its own shared laundry facility. A separate community building incorporates several shared amenities that encourage resident engagement, including a kitchenette, a computer room, a barbecue area, and bicycle parking. Four tot lots and a teen recreation area are also incorporated on the site.
Affirmed Housing’s development partners for Estrella include the city of San Marcos, San Diego County, WNC, Banner Bank, DAHLIN Group Architecture Planning, Masson & Associates, and form/work Landscape Architecture.
