Forty-four individuals and families, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, will soon have a new place to call home in San Carlos. On Tuesday, June 16, Mayor Todd Gloria and City staff joined Community HousingWorks and other local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Navajo Family Apartments located at 7005 Navajo Road. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be affordable to households making 30% to 70% of the area median income. Eight of the homes will be reserved for community members with intellectual or developmental disabilities and come with project-based vouchers from the San Diego Housing Commission. Project-based vouchers allow rental assistance to be attached to a specific unit and/or project instead of to an eligible assisted family.   

“Every San Diegan deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, stable home in a neighborhood that offers the chance to succeed,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “The Navajo Family Apartments will create new opportunities for working families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to put down roots in a community with access to strong schools, parks, transit, and jobs. This development reflects our commitment to building more affordable homes, cutting red tape, and investing in the partnerships that help turn plans on paper into homes for San Diegans.” 

The San Carlos neighborhood has been identified as a High Resource Area by the California Fair Housing Task Force, meaning it has a high concentration of factors supporting family success. The neighborhood's access to highly rated schools, parks, libraries, transit, employment centers and shopping centers makes it an attractive location for families. 

The development includes parking and bicycle spaces, a multipurpose community room with a kitchen, a computer lab, a centralized laundry room, a conference room and a tot-lot.  

"Navajo Family Apartments represent exactly the type of housing our city needs. This is an important investment in the future of the San Carlos community and the families who will one day call this place home," said Councilmember Raul Campillo, who represents District 7. "Today is about more than breaking ground on a new building - it is about creating opportunity, stability, and a pathway to success for working families, seniors, and individuals who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living in San Diego." 

To streamline permitting and get homes built more quickly, the project benefited from the City’s Affordable Housing Permit Now program. This program was created through a 2023 executive order from Mayor Gloria and tasked the City’s Development Services Department with reviewing 100% affordable housing and shelter projects in 30 days or fewer.

Since launching three years ago, Affordable Housing Permit Now has helped permit 7,246 homes citywide. The City has consistently met the required 30-day review target, with an average staff review time of nine days. Development Services teams review project applications, issue construction permits and ensure projects meet all code requirements during construction. 

“The projects permitted through Affordable Housing Permit Now have given residents all across San Diego greater access to thousands of homes, including those in the City’s highest resource neighborhoods such as this,” said Development Services Director Elyse Lowe. “I’m proud of the work City teams have done to streamline and support communities like the Navajo Family Apartments throughout San Diego." 

Navajo Family Apartments was also supported by a $3.1 million loan from the City’s Bridge to Home program. Launched in 2021 by Mayor Gloria, Bridge to Home helps developers close financing gaps to make their projects a reality, since affordable housing projects typically rely on a mix of local, state and federal funding.  

Since 2021, City Council has approved 25 project loan agreements, with five additional agreements awaiting approval. Together, these 2,969 affordable homes include 473 units with proposed supportive services for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. To date, 561 affordable homes have been built, and an additional 324 affordable homes are currently under construction. 

“The Navajo Family Apartments show exactly how the City’s investments translate into real homes for families,” said Economic Development Director Christina Bibler. “Through our Bridge to Home program, we’re able to close critical financing gaps and move developments like this from plans to construction. This project is a powerful example of how targeted support helps create high-quality, affordable homes in communities where families have access to the opportunities and resources they deserve.” 

Construction on the Navajo Family Apartments officially began in December 2025 and is expected to be completed by May 2027.