CARLSBAD — A new affordable housing complex for seniors has opened in Carlsbad, marking a milestone in the city’s efforts to provide more accessible housing for older residents amid rising living costs.
Vintage at Marja Acres, a 47-unit community for residents 55 and older, was officially unveiled Wednesday at 4660 Garden Hill Loop, near El Camino Real and Kelly Drive. The three-story apartment complex is part of the larger Marja Acres development, a 20-acre mixed-use project that includes townhomes, a park and commercial spaces.
“This is a one-of-a-kind community, offering affordable housing close to everything that Carlsbad has to offer,” said Geoff Brown, president of USA Properties Fund, one of the project’s developers. “The community meets a wide range of needs for residents, whether they are working full-time or retired and living on a fixed income.”
The $21 million project, the result of a public-private partnership between the city of Carlsbad, Riverside Charitable Corporation, and WNC Inc., aims to help address a growing demand for affordable housing, particularly among seniors.
Mayor Keith Blackburn emphasized the importance of housing affordability for older residents who struggle with rising rent costs on fixed incomes.
“Ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing is a top priority for our city,” Blackburn said. “Affordable housing is especially crucial for our 55-and-older residents, as rising costs continue to be a challenge. Projects like this help make it possible for them to continue to call Carlsbad home.”
According to data from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 57% of renters in San Diego County are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend at least 30% of their income on rent.
Residents must be at least 55 years old and earn between 30% and 60% of the area median income (AMI) for San Diego County — roughly $36,360 to $72,720 per year for a two-person household.
Monthly rents range from $814 to $1,396, depending on income qualifications.
The building features a community room, a wellness and health center, on-site laundry, and energy-efficient appliances. Residents can also access arts and crafts activities, financial education programs, and other social services.
The opening of Vintage at Marja Acres marks the latest phase of the broader Marja Acres development, which has been years in the making.
The site was once home to several local businesses along El Camino Real, south of Kelly Drive across from Robertson Ranch. In 2015, Mike and Marja Selna sold the land to developers New Urban West and IHP Capital Partners.
After years of community discussions and modifications, the Carlsbad City Council unanimously approved the Marja Acres project in 2020. The development includes:
- 248 three-story townhomes for sale
- 47 affordable senior apartments
- 10,000 square feet of commercial space for daycare and restaurant
Developers originally planned 294 townhomes, but modifications were made after community concerns about privacy, traffic, and a proposed pedestrian pathway connecting the project to surrounding neighborhoods.
“There’s a shortage of affordable housing in the city, so that’s another plus,” said Jeff Enes, senior vice president of IHP Capital Partners, when construction began.
USA Properties Fund, which developed Vintage at Marja Acres, has previously built affordable housing in the region, including Rancho Carrillo Apartments in Carlsbad. The company is also nearing completion of 8181 Allison Way, a 147-unit moderate-income housing community in La Mesa.
“We’re always looking at new opportunities to develop quality, affordable housing and improve the lives of residents,” Brown said. “Marja Acres is a unique community and showcases what is possible when organizations partner together.”
Like many North County cities, Carlsbad has faced increasing pressure to meet state housing mandates while balancing community concerns over growth, traffic and infrastructure.
Between 2013 and 2019, the five cities along state Route 78 — including Carlsbad — added more than 35,000 jobs but only 9,140 housing units, creating a severe housing shortage. The median price for a single-family home in Carlsbad now exceeds $1 million, making affordable rental housing a key priority.
“The truth is, a lot of the issues brought up are not under our control … largely because of Sacramento,” former Mayor Matt Hall said when approving Marja Acres in 2020.
The opening of Vintage at Marja Acres marks progress in the city’s efforts to increase affordable housing options, but additional projects are being worked on across the city.
As part of the project agreement, developers will subsidize rideshare services and provide free transit passes for seniors living at Vintage at Marja Acres.
With demand for affordable senior housing expected to rise, officials say projects like this will be critical in helping older residents stay in Carlsbad.
“We are thrilled to welcome the new senior residents at Marja Acres and do our part to provide affordable housing in the City of Carlsbad,” said Jay Stark, principal of The Pinyon Group, another partner in the development.
For more information on leasing at Vintage at Marja Acres, residents can visit USA Properties Fund’s website.
