CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council reviewed an update on the Windsor Pointe affordable housing project on Tuesday, focusing on safety concerns, management issues and ongoing efforts to address community complaints.
The low-income apartments, which provide affordable housing and supportive services for veterans and individuals with severe mental illness, have been the subject of public concern since its inception. Neighbors and residents have raised issues ranging from a lack of 24-hour security to reports of criminal activity from within and surrounding the buildings.
In response, the city has initiated efforts to replace the current property management company and bolster security services.
Mandy Mills, the city’s director of housing and homeless services, presented the report, outlining progress since the City Council directed staff in August to address management concerns.
“The City Council gave staff direction to pursue some very specific actions and return with regular updates to check progress,” Mills said. “I know folks often refer to it as a ‘facility,’ [but] it is an apartment building. So there are fair housing laws and other regulations regarding the funding that was used to build this project that come into the equation when it comes to trying to address some of the concerns.”
One of the key steps has been the process to replace CONAM Management Corporation, the current management company, with Solari Enterprises, Inc. Mills noted that progress has been made, and the transition is expected to be completed by November, pending approval from multiple funding agencies, including the County of San Diego and the Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
In a letter from the city to Affirmed Housing Group, the entity overseeing Windsor Pointe’s management, City Attorney Cindie McMahon said CONAM needed to be replaced “for failure to operate the Property in a manner that provides decent, safe, and sanitary housing.”
Residents who spoke during the meeting remained critical of the slow pace of change. Lori Robins, a Carlsbad resident, urged the council to take more decisive action.
“Actions require precise language,” Robins said. “Staff needs to hold [Affirmed Housing’s] feet to the fire and get them to meet their contractual obligations.”
Affirmed Housing, the developer behind Windsor Pointe has faced criticism from both the council and the public. Jonathan Taylor, a representative from Affirmed Housing, defended the company’s approach to security and management, stating that they are exploring creative ways to address security concerns.
However, many residents feel these efforts are insufficient.
Several council members expressed concern about the project’s overall management and the well-being of residents. Councilmember Teresa Acosta noted the importance of transparency and building a stronger relationship with the property management team moving forward.
“We need to be partners in this to protect the community and to protect the residents,” Acosta said.
The council directed city staff to continue monitoring the situation and report back by February 2024, after the new management company has taken over. In addition, there was a discussion about creating monthly updates to keep the public informed.
While progress has been made in addressing some concerns, the council and city staff acknowledged that more work remains.
“Our work here is not done,” Mills said. “We still have more to do, but we will continue to implement the identified actions.”
