After 12 years of work, developers have opened an 89-unit affordable housing community in Carlsbad, California.
Using housing funds from the city, Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) and C&C Development acquired 23 1950s-era duplexes to assemble a large contiguous parcel. The developers acquired another two duplexes and operated the properties during a holding period.
The team weathered California Environmental Quality Act challenges, COVID-19 delays, and changes in housing policies, agency staff, and city council members. Labor and material costs, among other things, also continued to increase. By the time the project was back on track, 12 years had passed, and a portion of the units originally planned were cut to make the project’s budget pencil.
Serving households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income, Pacific Wind features 87 new units and two rehabbed duplex units. Residents who were displaced during the development were offered priority on the new units, with approximately 10 families choosing to move into the new housing.
“The more than 12-year timeframe to get Pacific Wind from acquisition to groundbreaking and then to opening is a testament to the commitment of IHO, C&C, and the city of Carlsbad to deliver much-needed high-quality affordable housing amid ever-changing public sentiment, as well as shifting political priorities and funding sources,” said IHO president and CEO Rochelle Mills. “We are grateful to have so many champions that supported the project and helped get it across the finish line.”
Residents will have access to adult education classes with a focus on financial empowerment as well as programs for children and teens.
“Pacific Wind underscores C&C and IHO’s mission to design and build affordable housing that provides a first-rate and amenity-rich neighborhood environment for Carlsbad residents. We are proud of the city of Carlsbad’s commitment to developing affordable housing and our role in assisting them in achieving their goal,” added Todd Cottle, principal with C&C Development.
The approximately $56 million development was built with funding sources that included Bank of America, California Municipal Finance Authority, city of Carlsbad, and National Equity Fund.
The Pacific Wind team also included Bassenian Lagoni Architects, M Zaki Design, JAG Interiors, C&C Construction Services, Candela Engineering, Gouvis Engineering Consulting Group, SWS Engineering, TAD Engineering, and VBK Consulting.
