Emphasis on Supportive Housing Is Increasing in SD

Sauder: “Trying to provide services and housing to the homeless costs a fair amount of money, but it’s been proven that investing that money into permanent supportive housing is more cost effective than having them on the streets. That takes a lot of resources.”

SAN DIEGO—The City and housing commission here in San Diego are trying to address the homeless piece of affordable housing, but the amount of money it takes to develop this type of housing is greater than people realize, Wakeland Housing and Development Corp.’s president and CEO Ken Sauder tells GlobeSt.com. Through Xpera CM, a San Diego-based construction-management consulting firm, Wakeland recently completed construction on Atmosphere, Downtown San Diego’s newest high-rise project of affordable homes, and the community’s first tenants have begun to move in.

With a total cost of $79.3 million and construction valued at $60 million, the project includes a 12-story residential building with a rooftop terrace and three levels of underground parking in Downtown’s Cortez Hill neighborhood. Atmosphere includes 154 units of affordable housing for families earning between 30% and 60% of the San Diego Area Median Income, plus 51 units of permanent supportive housing specifically for adults requiring additional support due to homelessness, mental disability or age.