Harrington Heights, an affordable housing development in East Village, officially opened on Wednesday. The 15-story building, located on Broadway, offers 270 units designed to serve individuals and families with extremely low income, including those who were once homeless.
Developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation with support from the City of San Diego and the San Diego Housing Commission, Harrington Heights aims to provide long-term affordable housing options. According to the developers, rents will remain affordable for at least 55 years for households earning between 25% and 50% of San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI). For example, this income range translates to approximately $37,200 to $74,450 per year for a three-person household.
The building also includes 40 apartments specifically set aside for individuals with developmental disabilities, along with three units reserved for on-site managers.
When bonds for the project were approved in 2023, the estimated total development cost for Harrington Heights was $142.8 million—equating to roughly $523,197 per unit.
“Affordable rents for decades to come and rental assistance for many of these families will provide a greater opportunity for stable housing in San Diego’s high-cost rental housing market,” said Colin Miller, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at the San Diego Housing Commission.
To support resident stability, Harrington Heights offers a range of rental assistance programs. The Housing Commission is providing 115 federal rental housing vouchers, including 75 for households that have experienced homelessness (10 of which are reserved for veterans). An additional 40 vouchers will assist households with extremely low income who have not been homeless.
Charles Schmid, CEO of Chelsea Investment Corporation, emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “Harrington Heights represents a milestone on the path to solving the affordable housing crisis. It offers housing options that are out of reach for so many San Diegans.”
On-site supportive services will be provided by Alpha Project for formerly homeless residents. These services include case management, behavioral health support, life skills training, social activities, free haircuts, and even veterinary care for residents’ pets.
For homeless veterans moving in, rental assistance will be available through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Project-Based Housing Vouchers, along with supportive services from the VA’s San Diego Healthcare System.
At the grand opening, Mayor Todd Gloria expressed the broader significance of the development:
“Today, as we welcome the future residents of Harrington Heights, let us remember what this project represents — that this is a city that refuses to give up on its people, a city that believes progress is absolutely possible, and a city that understands housing is not simply about four walls and a roof, but about dignity. It’s about stability. It’s about belonging.”
https://timesofsandiego.com/business/2025/10/08/new-affordable-housing-east-village-harrington-heights/