Affordable senior housing doesn’t have to blend into the background. With colorful architecture, community-centered amenities, and design details inspired by Chula Vista, California’s history as the “Lemon Capital of the West,” Citrus Villa transforms an infill site into a lively, welcoming home for low-income seniors 55 and older.
The 58-unit community takes aim at the affordability challenges facing San Diego South Bay seniors who are being displaced by gentrification, a shortage of housing supply, and higher rents. Citrus Villa includes studio and one-bedroom units for seniors earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income.
The community supports aging in place with full kitchens, ample storage, large windows, and private balconies. It also offers a variety of amenities to reduce isolation and promote wellness, such as a communal room, a cozy reading nook, and an exercise studio. Flexible common spaces accommodate supportive services and programming, ensuring the seniors have access to resources that enhance stability and quality of life. Residents also can relax in the two landscaped terraces as well as the furnished sky deck and walk to the nearby senior center, library, and local shopping.
Nonprofit San Diego Interfaith Housing Foundation partnered with Studio E Architects and Sun Country Builders on the community. The architecture of the three-story building blends with the community’s surroundings on Third Avenue near Chula Vista’s historic downtown. The choice of colors and decorative details, including playful signage and a mural inspired by the area’s rich flora and fauna, pay homage to the city’s history and cultural roots.
“We were thrilled to design a seniors project on this site. It’s within walking distance of two parks, the library, the seniors center, and the historic Third Avenue commercial district. For an active older person, this is the place to be,” says John Sheehan, principal of Studio E Architects.
The community also boasts sustainability features, incorporating rooftop solar panels, low-E glazing, high-efficiency HVAC equipment, and Energy Star appliances. In addition, all planting is drought tolerant and irrigated with water-wise systems.
The $26.8 million development was financed with low-income housing tax credit equity provided by Red Stone Equity Partners. In addition, California Municipal Finance Agency underwrote the multifamily housing revenue bonds, and Lument provided the permanent loan.