CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council is urging regional lawmakers to support the city’s efforts to hold Affirmed Housing accountable for its commitments to Windsor Pointe, an affordable housing project that has faced mounting scrutiny over safety, security and maintenance concerns.
The letter, crafted in collaboration with the city’s legislative subcommittee, outlines specific expectations for the project’s developer, Affirmed Housing, to meet its obligations, including providing adequate security measures, maintaining the property and ensuring access to supportive services for residents.
The council approved the letter at its Jan. 14 meeting.
“We really strengthened it,” Councilmember Teresa Acosta said of the letter. “Originally, it was more of a statement, and now it’s more of an urging to action, a call to action, to really make sure that Windsor Pointe is serving the community and its tenants as best as it can.”
Windsor Pointe, located on Oak Avenue and Harding Street, provides affordable housing for low-income veterans and individuals with severe mental illnesses. Since its opening in 2022, the 50-unit complex has been the subject of numerous community complaints and public safety concerns, including reports of criminal activity, insufficient security and management issues.
The city has worked to address these concerns, including directing staff to replace the property’s management company, CONAM Management Corporation, with Solari Enterprises, Inc.
Mandy Mills, the city’s housing and homeless services director, has reported steady progress in these efforts. However, frustrations remain among residents and officials who believe Affirmed Housing has fallen short in addressing ongoing issues.
“Actions require precise language,” Carlsbad resident Lori Robins said during an October 2024 meeting. “Staff needs to hold [Affirmed Housing’s] feet to the fire and get them to meet their contractual obligations.”
In addition to calling for improved security and services at Windsor Pointe, the city’s letter seeks legislative support to ensure proper oversight of the project moving forward.
Councilmember Melanie Burkholder emphasized the importance of regional collaboration.
“There’s no bones about what we’re asking,” Burkholder said. “I’m encouraged by having verbally been told by our other electeds in the county that they will support our efforts with Windsor Pointe.”
The city’s advocacy efforts come as safety concerns at Windsor Pointe continue to draw attention. Earlier this year, Carlsbad Police Chief Christie Calderwood reported several security breaches, including unauthorized access to the complex and unlocked doors.
Despite recent security upgrades, including nighttime guards and a monitoring system, gaps in oversight persist.
In response to these issues, the council has directed staff to continue monitoring the project and provide regular updates. The advocacy letter is expected to help bolster the city’s push for meaningful change at Windsor Pointe.
“Our work here is not done,” Mills said. “We still have more to do, but we will continue to implement the identified actions.”
Affirmed Housing has defended its efforts to address concerns, with representatives citing plans to improve security and management. Still, city officials remain resolute in ensuring the project meets its goals.
“We need to be partners in this to protect the community and to protect the residents,” Acosta said.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the transition from CONAM Management Corporation to Solari Enterprises, Inc. was scheduled to occur at a later date. The transition has already been completed.
1 comment
THIS is exactly why NO ONE wants drug addled homeless people living next to them in their communities.
Now Carlsbad is stuck forever with this poorly executed project. In its haste to be wokefully compassionate, Carlsbad leadership failed to do its due diligence and has disgraced themselves while endangering residents.
Tax payers should demand that until boundaries are created and adhered to, including mandatory drug screening and treatment as well as mandatory mental and physical health checkups and treatment, projects like this should not be continued and NEVER built in residential neighborhoods.
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