By Ashley Mackin | SDUN Editor
Community HousingWorks (CHW), a San Diego based non-profit, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Kalos apartment complex on Oct. 19 at 3795 Florida St. in North Park. Construction will soon begin on the 83-unit complex.
Sue Reynolds, CEO of CHW said, “[Community HousingWorks] took a failed condo project, a truly blighted set of old buildings and dirt-filled vacant lots and is transforming them into 83 homes, affordable to lower income, working families [and] close to jobs in Mission Valley and downtown, transit, schools and several colleges.”
The complex will offer one- to three-bedroom units. It will also include a multipurpose meeting room with kitchen, media center, computer center, two courtyards, a bike shed and storage space.
Councilmember Todd Gloria said, “Once again, Community HousingWorks leads the way with innovative energy features on an urban, transit-oriented site. I am glad that the North Park community strongly supported this new construction project and applaud the leaders who worked hard to make these apartments affordable to working families, young people joining our workforce, and seniors.”
CHW financed the development with funding from the San Diego Redevelopment Agency, the San Diego Housing Commission and the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The apartments will be made available to individuals and families who earn less than 60 percent of area median income.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Congresswoman Susan Davis said, “Quality, low-income housing for residents of the area [and] sustainable energy… all the things that make for a win-win in the community. I really appreciate Community HousingWorks, for…taking the initiative because we know that our economy has meant some lose-lose for a lot of people, but when you can get a win-win out of this…that’s tremendous”
The Kalos complex will feature energy-saving construction, products and technologies, including onsite solar thermal and solar energy production. The apartments will be oriented to maximize pass-through cooling breezes and will include Energy Star ceiling fans. Water saving features include low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets. Kalos is registered under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program, and is anticipating a rating of Gold or better.
Reynolds said at the ceremony she was “thrilled beyond words that Kalos can be a North Park point of pride.”
