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In this issue:
- Groundbreaking at Spring View
- In the News
- In the Spotlight
- Construction Updates
- Growing Our Team
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Groundbreaking at Spring View
Affirmed Housing recently joined the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and project partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of Spring View, a transit-oriented development located at the Spring Street Transit Center in La Mesa. Spring View will provide 145 affordable studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income (AMI).
The well-attended event featured remarks from MTS Board Chair Stephen Whitburn, Affirmed Housing President Jimmy Silverwood, HCD Deputy Director, Division of Finance, Jenny Cho, San Diego Supervisor and MTS Board Chair Pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe, La Mesa Councilmember Patricia Dillard and California Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins.
Thank you to the many partners helping bring Spring View to life, including US Bank, California Department of Housing and Community Development, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, HA Builder Group, DAHLIN, Citi, County of San Diego, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Compass for Affordable Housing and, of course, our partners at MTS!
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In an article for Western Real Estate Business, Affirmed Housing Vice President of Development Mellody Lock explores how underutilized transit-owned land can help address California’s affordable housing shortage. She shares how transit agencies, local governments and experienced housing developers can work together to transform these sites into affordable, transit-oriented communities while navigating financing, parking and community considerations.
Mellody's article, "Transit Land, Housing Gap: How Agency-Owned Sites Can Unlock Affordable Homes in California," published in the magazine's July 2026 issue.
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In a cover story for Multifamily & Affordable Housing Business, Affirmed Housing Senior Vice President of Northern California Ali Gaylord discusses how affordable housing developers are navigating increasingly complex financing challenges. She shares insights on the role of layered capital stacks and ground leases in making projects feasible, with Affirmed Housing's RISE at Berryessa Station highlighted as an example of transit-oriented housing supported by multiple funding sources.
The article, "Affordable Housing Developers Rely on a Layered Capital Stack," appears in the magazine's September 2026 issue.
| | | SkyLINE Honored with 2026 Momentum Award | | |
Affirmed Housing's SkyLINE community received the Best New Transit-Oriented Development award at Circulate San Diego's 2026 Momentum Awards on Oct. 23. The award recognizes SkyLINE's success in transforming underutilized transit property into a vibrant, affordable housing community.
Opened in January 2026, SkyLINE offers 100 affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes on a former San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) parking lot, expanding housing opportunities near public transportation.
Congratulations to our project partners, including the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, AO Architects, Form/Work Landscape Architecture, Fuscoe Engineering, HA Builder Group, Bank of America, Citi Bank, Compass for Affordable Housing, California Department of Housing and Community Development, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, and the San Diego Housing Commission.
| | Mirador Recognized as Senior Housing Development of the Year | | |
Affirmed Housing's Mirador community in Altadena was named Senior Housing Development of the Year at the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing's (SCANPH) 2026 Homes Within Reach Awards.
Designed by AC Martin, Mirador provides 71 affordable apartment homes for low-income seniors ages 55 and older, including residents who have experienced homelessness. The community combines quality housing with shared gathering spaces and on-site supportive services that promote stability, independence and community connections.
The recognition holds special significance following the devastating January 2025 wildfires in Altadena. Having survived the fires, Mirador stands as a symbol of resilience and hope for the surrounding community.
Thank you to SCANPH for this honor, and congratulations to AC Martin and our entire project team for helping bring this award-winning community to life.
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Starlight Palms
Construction is underway on Starlight Palms, a 298-home affordable housing community in Palm Desert. Located on a 7.74-acre site at the northwest corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Cook Street, the development will expand access to quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in Riverside County. The project is expected to be completed in February 2028.
Starlight Palms will feature seven three- and four-story residential buildings with contemporary Spanish-style architecture. The community will offer studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments for households earning 30% to 70% AMI, along with three apartments for on-site managers. Residents will enjoy landscaped courtyards, children's play areas, a swimming pool and community gathering spaces, as well as complimentary on-site programs supporting financial literacy, career development and wellness.
Bringing Starlight Palms to life is a collaborative effort involving SVA Architects, HA Builder Group, Fuscoe Engineering, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, California Municipal Finance Authority, Lument, Housing Authority of the County of Riverside, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
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Prisma
Construction is underway on Prisma, a 98-home affordable housing community in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Located at the intersection of North Orange Drive and De Longpre Avenue, the development will provide 96 affordable studio apartments for low-income seniors, including 48 homes reserved for seniors who have experienced homelessness, along with two apartments for on-site managers. The project is expected to be completed in December 2027.
Prisma will feature a six-story residential building with an artistic facade reflecting Hollywood's creative character. Residents will enjoy indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, including a landscaped courtyard and community room, as well as on-site supportive services designed to promote housing stability, independence and community connections.
We're pleased to collaborate with an outstanding group of partners, including SVA Architects, KPFF, MJS Design Group, HA Builder Group, Raymond James, BMO, Citi, The People Concern, Compass for Affordable Housing, CDLAC, CTCAC, City of Los Angeles, Housing Authority City of Los Angeles
| | | As Affirmed Housing continues to grow its development pipeline, we're pleased to welcome three new team members whose experience and knowledge will support our efforts to deliver high-quality affordable housing communities across California. Please join us in welcoming Sam, Bronson and Davis! | | | | |
Sam Schick I Assistant Project Manager
Sam joins Affirmed Housing's Northern California team with a background in affordable housing policy research, data analysis and operations management. As assistant project manager, he supports developments from site acquisition through construction and lease-up, coordinating with consultants, lenders, investors and public agencies to keep projects moving forward.
Sam earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Davis, where he contributed to research examining the effectiveness of public financing mechanisms for affordable housing.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys competing in recreational volleyball leagues and whitewater rafting throughout the American West.
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Bronson Viscarra I Project Manager
Bronson joins Affirmed Housing's Northern California team with more than seven years of experience in affordable housing development, including new construction, rehabilitation and permanent supportive housing. Previously with EAH Housing, he managed projects including MiLA, the first affordable rental community in Los Altos. At Affirmed Housing, he works with project teams to advance developments through planning, financing and construction.
Bronson holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from California State University, San Marcos. Outside of work, Bronson enjoys oil painting, home improvement projects and exploring the California coast with his five corgis, two parents and three of their grown puppies.
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Davis Gabriel I Project Accountant
Davis joins Affirmed Housing's San Diego headquarters with accounting experience spanning affordable housing, nonprofit organizations and manufacturing. As project accountant, he supports the financial management of developments, including preparing construction loan draws, processing change orders and reviewing project budgets.
Davis earned both his bachelor's degree and master's degree in accounting from the University of Oregon. Outside of work, Davis enjoys playing basketball, spending time at the beach and traveling.
| | Thank you for following along with Affirmed Housing’s progress. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building strong, inclusive communities together. | | |
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Let's Build Some Housing!
Southern California: jeff@affirmedhousing.com
Northern California: ali@affirmedhousing.com
Headquartered in San Diego with Northern California regional offices in Oakland and San Jose, Affirmed Housing is dedicated to improving and sustaining the viability of California through the development of affordable housing. The company aims at enhancing communities and our environment by building dynamic, professionally managed, high-quality, green, multifamily housing.
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