Trolley Park Terrace- Revitalizing a Community

“These affordable residential units will open up high quality housing options to low income families in this community who can’t otherwise afford the cost of living in our neighborhood.” ~The Honorable San Diego City Councilmember Myrtle Cole (District 4)

Trolley Park Terrace, Southeastern San Diego's new 52-unit LEED certified affordable housing complex, was finished 48 days ahead of schedule and $900,000 under budget. 

On Monday October 24th we celebrated the grand opening of Trolley Park Terrace, a transit oriented infill development in southeast San Diego. Located at the corner of Market Street and Market Creek Place Driveway, this new housing complex will provide affordable housing for 52 families, with rents ranging from 18% - 26% below market rate. Built with sustainability and livability in mind, Trolley Park Terrace is located near public transit and offers its residents a computer lab in addition to financial literacy and English as a second language classes offered on site. 

This vital new neighborhood is part of a redevelopment movement initiated by The Jacobs Center For Neighborhood Innovation. The Jacobs Center, located just next door, is working to revitalize 60 acres of land to provide residents with greater access to amenities that improve their quality of life. Together we are creating the foundation to transform the area into a vibrant town center supported by high-quality infrastructure, specialized industries, entrepreneurs, and artists. This redevelopment work not only brings places for residents of the Diamond Neighborhoods to shop, dine, work, and gather, it also brings new places to live.  In the words of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who was present for the grand opening, "Trolley Park Terrace is the kind of smart development that San Diego needs to bring affordable housing to the families who need it the most.” 

 Trolley Park Terrace is about creating the home and opportunities for our residents to thrive.

Trolley Park Terrace is currently at 100% occupancy. To join the waiting list please click HERE.

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.