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5 Critical Ways Community HousingWorks Is Transforming San Diego's Affordable Housing Crisis In 2025

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The affordable housing crisis in San Diego County continues to challenge thousands of working families and seniors, but one non-profit organization is leading a dramatic, multi-faceted transformation. Community HousingWorks (CHW), a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) organization, is not just building new homes; it is implementing strategic leadership changes and launching comprehensive resident services that are redefining what affordable housing means in Southern California.

As of December 22, 2025, CHW is at the forefront of development, with groundbreaking projects and key executive appointments signaling a major push to address the severe shortage of safe, stable, and affordable homes. Their work extends beyond construction, focusing on creating thriving communities where residents have the resources to move up and achieve long-term financial well-being.

Community HousingWorks (CHW) Profile and Historical Milestones

Community HousingWorks is a powerhouse in the non-profit affordable housing sector, operating over 5,000 affordable homes across California and Texas. Founded in 1988, CHW's mission is rooted in the belief that a stable home is the foundation for success, offering opportunities to own, rent, and achieve a better future.

  • Founded: 1988
  • Status: Nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
  • Headquarters: San Diego, California
  • Service Area: California and Texas (over 5,000 affordable homes)
  • First Community: Las Casitas in Escondido, established in 1990 as transitional apartments for homeless families.
  • Core Mission: To help people and communities move up in the world through opportunities to own, rent, and achieve.
  • Key Focus: Developing, preserving, and operating life-changing affordable apartment communities with resident-centered services.
  • San Diego Partnership: Recognized Partner of Live Well San Diego since December 7, 2017.

The New Face of CHW: 2025 Leadership and Strategic Growth

To meet the demands of the rapidly evolving housing market, Community HousingWorks has strategically bolstered its executive leadership team with critical appointments, ensuring its long-term vision for sustainable growth and resident support remains intact. These changes, announced as recently as July 2025, underscore CHW's commitment to enhancing both its real estate development and its core resident services.

Key Executive Updates and Their Impact

A significant announcement on July 10, 2025, highlighted the promotion of Yvette Villa-Barry to Senior Vice President of Asset Management and Resident Services. This move is designed to integrate the management of CHW's extensive portfolio of properties with the delivery of essential programs, ensuring that the physical assets and the community programs work seamlessly together. The focus is on proactive prevention of homelessness and providing stable foundations for residents.

Additionally, the executive team has been strengthened by leaders like Kevin Leichner, who joined as Senior Vice President, Housing and Real Estate Development in 2023, bringing deep expertise in affordable housing development and finance. This strategic leadership structure is crucial for navigating complex funding mechanisms, including those from the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program in California.

Groundbreaking Projects: Inside CHW's Latest San Diego Developments

CHW’s current development pipeline is addressing various critical needs, from extremely low-income families in downtown to homeless seniors in specific neighborhoods. These projects are a direct response to the San Diego housing crisis, demonstrating innovative use of urban space and targeted support for vulnerable populations.

Jacaranda on 9th: Revitalizing Downtown Affordable Housing

Located in the bustling Cortez Hill neighborhood of downtown San Diego, the Jacaranda on 9th project is a major undertaking. This five-story development is set to deliver 88 affordable apartments, replacing an older 48-room building.

  • Location: 901 Beech Street, Cortez Hill, Downtown San Diego
  • Units: 88 affordable apartments
  • Target Population: Primarily low-income working San Diego residents, with a focus on the extremely low-income category.
  • Status: Under Construction (as of recent downtown development reports).

This development is critical because it significantly increases the number of affordable units in a high-opportunity area, ensuring that low-income workers can live close to their jobs and essential services in the urban core.

North Park Senior Apartments: A Haven for LGBTQ+ and Homeless Seniors

One of CHW’s most celebrated recent openings is the North Park Senior Apartments. This community is a shining example of targeted, compassionate development, providing much-needed housing for seniors who are often overlooked.

  • Location: North Park, San Diego
  • Units: 76 affordable senior apartments (ages 55+)
  • Unit Breakdown: Includes 7 studios and 66 one-bedroom apartments.
  • Special Feature: Developed as a community for low-income and homeless seniors, including the LGBTQ+ senior population, in partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
  • Funding: The $27.1 million project was supported by key partners like NeighborWorks Capital.

The intentional design and focus on the LGBT seniors community highlight CHW’s dedication to providing inclusive and supportive Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) environments, a model recognized by the HUD CoC Awards for its effectiveness in addressing chronic homelessness.

Future Growth: The Southcrest and Pine View Initiatives

Looking ahead, CHW continues to secure funding for new ventures. In 2024–2025, they were awarded funding under Mayor Gloria’s Bridge to Home initiative for a project in Southcrest, which will bring 91 affordable homes to the area. Furthermore, their Pine View Permanent Supportive Housing project was recognized in the FY 2024 CoC Awards, underscoring their commitment to the most vulnerable residents.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: CHW's Resident Services and Community Impact

The true difference between CHW and a conventional developer lies in its robust resident services, designed to foster Next Generation Success and financial stability. These programs are integral to the organization's mission of helping people "move up in the world."

The Career Pathways Program

A flagship initiative is the Career Pathways program, which provides career exploration and job preparation for young adults and adolescents living in CHW communities. The first cohort, completed in Q1 2024, saw nine youth and young adults graduate from the program in Southeast San Diego, a critical area for workforce development. This program often partners with organizations like the YMCA and the San Diego Housing Commission to secure better-paying jobs.

Financial Well-Being and Educational Opportunities

CHW offers resources focused on Financial Well-Being for Residents, helping families build savings, improve credit, and achieve homeownership goals. Education is also a priority, highlighted by the annual Sue Reynolds Valor Scholarship, which provides financial aid to residents pursuing higher education, directly investing in the future leaders of their communities.

By coupling quality affordable rental housing with these life-changing services, Community HousingWorks ensures that residents have the tools not only to maintain stable housing but also to improve their economic outlook, tackling the root causes of the affordability crisis one community at a time.

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community housing works san diego

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