Casa Familiar announced that it was awarded the Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Sustainable Communities Round 8 gran of $33.7 million to help fund the development of the Avanzando San Ysidro Community Land Trust 103-unit affordable housing project, addressing the affordable housing crisis in the region, including safe accessible city improvements
The grant includes $12.7 million for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to fund nine new bus shelters in San Ysidro for the Blue Line weekend frequency improvements.
“Casa Familiar is honored to receive this grant from the Strategic Growth Council,” said Lisa Cuestas, executive director of Casa Familiar in a press release. “This funding is a critical step in our mission to create equitable housing opportunities and to build a community where 103 families can thrive for generations. The Avanzando (Advancing) San Ysidro Community Land Trust project exemplifies our commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.”
The project is designed to provide sustainable, affordable housing solutions while promoting community ownership and long-term affordability. The project will deliver 103 affordable housing units to low- and moderate-income families, empowering residents through homeownership opportunities and fostering a sense of community stewardship.
The City of San Diego is included as a sub-recipient partner for the award and will receive $320,000 to help develop the surrounding transportation infrastructure for the project. The city right-of-way improvements include a half mile of sidewalks with accessible pedestrian curb ramps and the conversion of two miles of Class II bikeways into Class IV within the project area.
“I’m thrilled to see the Avanzando San Ysidro project receive this vital state award,” stated San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “This initiative perfectly illustrates how affordable housing should be done — integrating convenient public transit options with safe, walkable streets and bike lanes. We’re committed to supporting projects like this that not only provide affordable homes but also enhance residents’ quality of life through sustainable active transportation choices. This is exactly the kind of progress that moves our city forward.”
In addition to housing, the project will integrate sustainable infrastructure, including energy-efficient building designs, green spaces, and improvements to public transportation, aligning with the state’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This project will also offer programming and workforce development opportunities to empower the community in accessing essential resources needed to build sustainable communities.
