Homelessness & Affordable Housing

In August 2024, the County unveiled a new “Affordable Housing” mapping tool to give people a place to look at, and for, affordable housing developments built with the help of County funds around the region. The interactive map shows where developments are, photos of them, information about how many units there are, what types there are and who can apply to live in them. The website also has links to each development’s website. 

In September 2024, the County, working with the City of Oceanside and community partners, celebrated the grand opening of Greenbrier Village. The 60-unit affordable housing development features “wrap-around” support services, including mental, physical and behavioral health services for residents who need it. The development was created to help people who were experiencing homelessness, or were on the verge of it. The 60 units are a mix of one-bedroom and studios, five reserved for veterans and three for young adults aging out of the foster system. 

The County celebrated the opening of Vista Azul in Carlsbad in November 2024, a 70-unit affordable housing community for people and families earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The development, located near retail shops, jobs and schools, includes 32 one bedroom, 19 two bedroom and 18 three bedroom units. It also features a community room and kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a teen room, common laundry area, outdoor barbecue and picnic area, play structure, tot lot and a bocce ball court.

That same month, the County made $11.5 million available to local developers to create affordable housing to help people with low incomes and veterans experiencing homelessness.

In late November 2024, dozens of low-income people and families started moving into Estrella, a new County-funded affordable housing development in San Marcos. The County contributed $2.64 million in federal HOME funds to the development, which was created by teaming up with the city of San Marcos, the Affirmed Housing Group and others. The Estrella development is one of two, along with Alora, that were built on the site of an old 70-unit apartment complex and that now provides 196 affordable units.

The County and community celebrated the grand opening of 79 new affordable housing units, built on surplus County property, in Clairemont Mesa in January. The “Paul Downey Senior Residence” is the first of four new buildings for low-income seniors and families, and the second affordable housing complex to open on County surplus property.

In April, the County celebrated the grand opening of Santa Fe Senior Village, a 54-apartment building in downtown Vista. The new development, located next to the Vista Transit Center and within walking distance of a grocery store, public park, restaurants, public library and medical clinic, is for seniors with low to extremely low-incomes and veterans 62 years old and older. Twenty-seven of the apartments are fully furnished for people and families who were experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.