Ana Gomez- The Landings

Ana Gomez, a mother of three, tells us about life at The Landings in Chula Vista.

At Chelsea Investment Corporation we are committed to leading the way in building and providing affordable housing for families in need. In doing this we are continually inspired by the triumph of the human spirit and grateful for the ability to see people thrive when their basic needs are being met. When faced with the challenge of having a family member with a developmental disability, it goes without saying that certain aspects can be trying. It is a beautiful thing to watch as families rise to the occasion, and we enjoy being able to share in their achievements. This is one such story. 

Ana Gomez is a 33 year-old mother of three beautiful children including 14 year-old Sophie, who at the age of 4 was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After falling into a coma in 2006, she awoke 4 1/2 months later, having suffered debilitating consequences resulting from her condition. 

Now in adolescence, there are complexities involved with caring for Sophie that are eased by being in a suitable living environment. Taking care of a young adult with a developmental disability can be taxing both emotionally and physically, but being in an apartment that is ADA accessible has helped to minimize the difficulty in some of Ana's daily tasks. Ana was kind enough to take us through a day in her life, describing how living at The Landings has eased many of her worries. 

The Landings' ADA-wheelchair accessible leasing center.

Ana and her family have lived at The Landings for 6 years and in that time they’ve seen Sophie steadily improve. Ana shared with us how amenities that some may take for granted, such as air conditioning and wheelchair accessibility, make a huge difference in the life of a young lady who cannot move on her own. “When she was young, getting her into the tub was easy, but now she’s 14 and weighs 100 lbs. We have a roll-in shower here that we can put her in and it’s great” said Ana.

The pool at The Landings- Sophie's happy place.

Also, because of the amount of space in their apartment, Sophie’s teacher is able to come for home schooling 2 hours a day as opposed to a place where lack of space might require that Ana bring her to school every day. As a result of consistent schooling and care, Sophie is excelling in her speech and steadily coming out of her shell. 

Smooth sidewalks and wheelchair access make going for a walk at The Landings much easier. 

Sophie enjoys being taken for strolls through the tree-lined sidewalks leading to the grocery store and time spent in the pool, her favorite thing to do. The lifestyle at The Landings is conducive to her evolution and general happiness. We are grateful to be a part of this family’s solution, and to the Southern California Housing Collaborative for their assistance in the lives of so many people with developmental disabilities. 

Watch Ana’s interview on YouTube.

Professional Awards and Personal Triumphs- A Meaningful Night at The ICON Awards

Providing affordable housing for those with developmental disabilities hits home- CIC Founder and CEO, Jim Schmid dedicates his award to his beloved 12-year-old granddaughter Avery. (Pictured left to right: Jim Schmid, Janice Patterson, Senior Project Manager at Emmerson Construction, Inc., Executive Director So. Cal. Housing Collaborative, Nathan Schmid and Kursat Misirlioglu, Director of Project Finance for CIC. Front row: Miss Avery Schmid.) 

For Jim Schmid, Founder and CEO of Chelsea Investment Corp., it’s personal and professional. His leadership in developing affordable housing for individuals with developmental disabilities comes from his heart and his head.

When Jim received a standing ovation from the Building Industry Association at the annual ICON awards last month, he was stunned and humbled. He shared that ovation – and an unprecedented Honorable Mention award -- with Independence Point, a modest infill project in San Diego’s Lincoln Park, where 25 of 32 units are set aside for those with a developmental disability.

Jim dedicated that award to his beloved and beautiful 12-year-old granddaughter, Avery, herself afflicted with cerebral palsy. Here’s Avery at the Icon Awards, with an award that hits home for everyone in the Chelsea family.

For more on the “monumental achievement” that is Independence Point, click here.

Independence Point - Dignified Housing for Families With Disabilities

"We are very blessed to have found Independence Point." - Jessica Alvarez

At Chelsea Investment Corporation, we are committed to helping families by providing affordable housing for dignified living. One of our more recent undertakings is a newly built community of townhomes in San Diego. Independence Point provides housing for families with a developmentally disabled member and in doing so, helps to improve the quality of life for the entire family.

San Diegan Jessica Alvarez knows what hard times look like. A single mother with two daughters, she and her girls have survived the full range of insecure housing – from homelessness to a tiny one-bedroom rental with black mold and dangerous neighbors. 

Today, Jessica says she is “very blessed” as she tours us through her brand new, three-bedroom apartment at Independence Point, an affordable housing community built through our partnership with the Southern California Housing Collaborative (Housing Collaborative) and the San Diego Housing Commission. Located in Lincoln Park just off Imperial Avenue, Independence Point reserves 25 of 32 townhomes for qualified households with a developmentally disabled member. 

Both comfortable and affordable, 25 of the 32 units at Independence Point are allocated for families with a developmentally disabled member. 

Jessica Alvarez found Independence Point while seeking resources for her six-year-old daughter, Babie, who is on the autism spectrum. Like other Independence Point residents, Jessica's income qualifies her for rent that is discounted from market-rate, increasing the funds she has available for care associated with her daughter's disability. 

Academic improvements for both children were noticeable within weeks of finding secure housing. 

“Both Babie and my teenage daughter have made great improvements in school since we moved here four months ago,” said Jessica, who noted that her older daughter is a high school senior with aspirations to win an academic scholarship at the University of Chicago. Jessica’s three-bedroom townhome includes an attached garage that they’ve converted into a private room for yoga and other healing therapies for Babie.

When basic needs are no longer a worry, families are able to focus more attention on improving both developmentally and academically. We are profoundly honored to be a part of this evolution.