Affordable housing made possible through new grants

City Heights Community Development Corporation and Community HousingWorks, two local nonprofits working to revitalized troubled communities, recently received $100,000 in funding to begin developing affordable housing neighborhoods for low-income families. 

“Expanding access to affordable housing isn’t just the right thing to do — it is a part of a smart, effective strategy for improving entire communities,” stated Alice Carr, west regional manager for Chase Community Development Banking, in a press release.

The City Heights CDC will rehabilitate a “Huffman 6-Pack” — 1970s housing developments known for their poor design and deteriorating quality. The apartments will be turned into homes, and will serve as a model for other developers across the city to improve the local properties.

Community HousingWorks will build 138 affordable apartments in Oceanside for seniors and formerly homeless or disabled veterans, as well as a facility offering on-site health services for residents. This project will also serve as a model for future developments that merge housing and health care.

Sign up for San Diego Community College classes

Those interested in taking classes during the fall semester at San Diego City, Mesa or Miramar colleges are encouraged to apply now in order to begin registering for classes beginning Aug. 4.

The 16-week semester starts Aug. 18, and administration staff said students should begin planning now because the district expects to see an increased demand for classes during the upcoming school year.

High school students enrolling for the first time must register in person between Aug. 11 – 15 at the college admissions office at the campus in which they wish to enroll. Others can register by visiting sdccd.edu.

North Park Citizens Patrol combats assault

The North Park Citizens Patrol and the North Park Community Association (NPCA) recently held a community meeting to address the growing prevalence of assaults targeting women on the streets of North Park. The fifth, most recent and most violent attack occurred on the morning of July 20, when a woman was knocked unconscious after a blow to the head from a behind. She awoke on the ground otherwise unscathed and with all her possessions.

The attacks began on June 17 and have followed the same trend of attacks on lone women from behind by one or multiple male suspects.

The recent community meeting addressing the crime spree, which was attended by more than 160 people, including multiple elected officials, included a fundraiser by the North Park Citizens Patrol to provide locals with a flashlight/compass/whistle utility keychain.

NPCA President Edwin Lohr said more funding is needed in order to continue distributing these keychains. For information on how to donate, or to become a much-needed volunteer for the citizens patrol, email [email protected].

San Diego congressional delegates introduce bill combatting sexual assault

On July 30, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced the Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act (S.O.S. Campus Act), which would require colleges throughout the nation to an establish independent, on-campus advocate supporting sexual assault victims.

These advocates would be responsible for ensuring a victim has access to medical care, law enforcement guidance, forensic exams, counseling and information on their legal rights, regardless of whether the victim chooses to report the crime.

The bill follows widespread criticisms of universities for under-reporting and under-scrutinizing sexual assault cases. It was introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives as an amendment to the Higher Education Act.

Dine Out For The Cure Aug. 14

Almost everyone has heard of Race for the Cure, the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s annual charity marathon, but you don’t have to break a sweat if you want to help fight breast cancer — you just have to go out to eat.

As part of Komen San Diego’s second annual Dine Out for the Cure on Aug. 14, certain restaurants will donate 25 to 50 percent of that day’s profit to the charity.

Participating restaurants nearby include Croce’s Park West at 2760 Fifth Ave. in Bankers Hill; Broken Yolk Café at 1760 Camino del Rio North in Mission Valley; Redfield’s Sports Bar at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Downtown; and Nothing Bundt Cake at 5624 Mission Center Rd. in Mission Valley.

After deducting overhead of 13 percent, Komen San Diego dedicates 75 percent of its revenue to local education, screening and treatment programs and 25 percent to international medical research. For details on other participating restaurants, visit komensandiego.org/DineOut.

City restricts e-cigarettes

The City of San Diego will soon begin treating electronic cigarettes like tobacco cigarettes under new ordinances approved by the City Council on July 28. The council voted unanimously to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes (also known as “vaping”) wherever cigarette smoking is currently prohibited, including public beaches, parks, sports facilities, sidewalk cafes and other enclosed public spaces, including restaurants. The council also unanimously agreed to regulate the retail sale of e-cigarettes the same way the City regulates the sale of tobacco products, by requiring retailers to obtain a police permit and banning e-cigarette vending machines. Much of the discussion from councilmembers focused on the perceived impacts of e-cigarettes on children. The ordinances were proposed and developed by Councilmember Mark Kersey, who represents the city’s northeastern neighborhoods in District 5.

35 new parking spaces in Hillcrest

City leaders announced Thursday, July 31, that 35 additional parking spaces would be available at the future site of the Hillcrest-Mission Hills Library until construction is expected to begin in Spring 2016. The lot is located at the southwest corner of Washington and Front streets.

Council President Todd Gloria, alongside Uptown Parking District head Elizabeth Hannon and the City’s senior traffic engineer, Joe Jiminez, cut the ribbon on the parking lot, which will be open 24 hours a day, includes two blue zone spaces and will cost 50 cents per hour with a maximum parking time of 12 hours.

City launches first ever Bicycle Advisory Board

In March, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved a Bicycle Advisory Committee to oversee and provide guidance on all the burgeoning bicycle projects popping up all over the county. The committee will assist in making bicycling in San Diego safer, more accessible, implementing the new Bicycle Master Plan Update, and making San Diego a more bike-able city overall. Andy Hanshaw, currently executive director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDBC), was appointed to the board, along with a total of seven other advising members from neighborhoods around the county, including Kyle Heiskala of Hillcrest; Kathleen Keehan of Rancho Bernardo; Michael Brennan of Hillcrest; Nicole Burgess of Point Loma; Petr Krysl of University City; Randy Van Vleck of Golden Hill; and Samantha Ollinger of City Heights. The board’s term will be two years, ending July 1, 2016. “The City has a lot of great bicycling initiatives coming to fruition and copious opportunities to become one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation,” said Hanshaw in a press release. “I look forward to working with the committee members and elevating San Diego to be a premiere city for bicycling.” The SDBC protects and advocates for the rights of all people who ride bicycles. San Diego becomes one of numerous cities around the country with formally appointed bicycle advisory committees. For more information on SDBC visit sdbc.org.

South Park Standabout: Arts, music, and culture for a cause

A daytime fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 16 will be held at a residence in South Park (3076 Cedar St.) to collect donations for local charity GenerateHope; the nonprofit serves survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation and provides a safe haven for them. The organizers of the Standabout are asking for a $15 donation from attendees who wish to partake in food and drinks – including beer and wine. Sponsors including Sage Mountain Farm, Stone Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Company, Belching Beaver Brewery and more will provide the local fare. The event will also feature several local bands including Manuok, Frances Bloom Band, Harpo, Justin Burkett, and DJ Delmonty. Visual artists will be on hand showcasing pieces, selling artwork to raise money for the charity and, in some cases, creating art on site. The event begins at 2 p.m. and will wrap up around sunset. Visit Facebook.com/events/1436821109913549 for more info.