Affordable, Service Supported Apartments Address Rising Senior Homelessness Challenge in San Diego

73 at-risk seniors recently moved into Trinity Place, a new affordable housing development located in the Grantville neighborhood of San Diego. “When they said I got matched with housing, they never told me how nice it was going to be,” Melanie, a new resident, said. “Not worrying about where you’re going to be the next day, what you’re going to do…it’s amazing.” Designed by Studio E Architects – Trinity Place is the second permanent supportive senior housing project developed in collaboration with Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation.

“Wakeland is all about the success of our residents,” Wakeland Housing CEO Ken Sauder said. “Trinity Place gives these formerly homeless seniors a safe place to live, but also offers wraparound supportive services designed to help them live stable, independent lives,” said Ken Sauder, President & CEO of Wakeland Housing.

These service providers include People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), St. Paul’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Community Research Foundation (CRF) Senior Impact, and Alpha Project Home Finders. “This collaborative model provides senior residents with the social, emotional, and medical assistance that is life-changing,” said PATH Senior Regional Director Jonathan Castillo.

Trinity Place sits comfortably on a sloped site along a busy commercial street in Mission Valley. All units are 350 SF studio apartments with full kitchens and accessible bathrooms. The modest size of the studios is offset by the ample shared gathering and recreation space. Foremost is a central court designed to accommodate a variety of recreational activities. A multi-purpose community space, computer lounge, fitness room, and small pet exercise area round out the list of socializing spaces. The street frontages were enlivened with large storefronts, a corner plaza, and a commercial scaled project sign – all serving to make this residential project feel at home on this urban corridor.

Allgire General Contractors delivered the $34.2 million project on budget and on schedule and – no small feat in this Pandemic year filled with supply chain shortages and material cost increases.

“These particular apartments are a source of hope for San Diego. Trinity Place will provide a home for many seniors who have come here with health issues from living on the streets for years…this property is exactly what they need to make their lives whole.” – Richard C. Gentry President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission.

About Studio E Architects
Founded in 1987, Studio E Architects is a collaborative design studio led by principals Eric Naslund, FAIA, and John Sheehan, AIA. Based in San Diego, California, the firm operates throughout the Southwestern United States, building a diverse body of award-winning work ranging from private residences to affordable housing, mixed-use, civic, academic, and urban planning projects. Their list of awards includes five National American Institute of Architects Honor Awards. More information at:   www.studioearchitects.com

About Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation is a leader in the creation and operation of affordable housing in California, delivering high-quality residential developments that address the needs of the communities we serve. Since we started in 1998, we have created and preserved more than 6,700 affordable homes at 44 properties throughout the state, each of which showcases our commitment to building and operating high-quality housing communities with superior on-site programs and services for residents. Visit our website to learn more: www.wakelandhdc.com.

Stephen Whalen Photography