SAN MARCOS — The highly-anticipated Alora affordable housing project opened in San Marcos last week, bringing 100 low-income units to families in the Richmar neighborhood.
California affordable housing developer Affirmed Housing partnered with the City of San Marcos and the County of San Diego on the $40 million project, providing one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for families earning between 30% and 50% of the area median income.
Units are split between four buildings and a community center, where residents can utilize a pool, barbeque area and bike parking. Also on site are a basketball hoop area and tot lots for young families.
Alora also provides complimentary onsite services, including computer training and resume-building resources, as well as health and wellness, financial literacy and parenting programs to further support residents.
“Alora represents responsible stewardship for San Marcos’ hardworking citizens in need. In addition to boosting density and housing inventory, Alora provides residents with resources and support to live their best lives, it provides opportunity,” said Affirmed Housing President Jimmy Silverwood. “This development is a long-term investment and solution to ensuring the health and wellness of the city and its people.”
The project along Richmar Avenue is located on the former 71-unit Mariposa development built in the 1990s. Developers and city leaders decided to demolish Mariposa, which was in disrepair, and construct a new project to bring more housing.
The 100 Alora units replaced 40 apartments from the Mariposa site. Next door, the remaining 30 Mariposa units are being turned into a separate, 96-unit affordable development called Estrella.
Affirmed Housing plans to complete this second phase of the project by the fall of 2024, according to its website.
According to the city, the site is also within walking distance of grocery stores, a pharmacy, a public library, parks, and public transportation.
City leaders also shared excitement about the new affordable housing opportunity, which broke ground in early 2022.
“We are invested in creating more affordable housing in San Marcos because the well-being of our community is one of our highest priorities. We look forward to more affordable housing complexes being completed and available to the public soon,” said Mayor Rebecca Jones.
To keep these new housing units affordable into the future, the project has been deed restricted for the next 99 years. This requires the units to be rented only to those who are low-income.
