The grand opening for San Diego’s first “LGBT-affirming” senior housing community, North Park Seniors, was Friday.
“This new development is open to all and provides a positive and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors — a first for San Diego and one of only a handful in the nation,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, one of more than 200 people in attendance at the event.
North Park Seniors uses the term LGBT-affirming to mean that the community is welcoming to all older adults, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected class status.
The community, developed by Community HousingWorks, includes 76 affordable seniors housing apartments and 118 market-rate multifamily units developed by Alliance Residential. It is CHW’s first mixed-income development in the organization’s 30-year history. Construction began with a groundbreaking in July 2016.
North Park Seniors is open to those aged 55 or more years who meet its income requirements. All housing decisions are made according to the Fair Housing Act and state law.
On-site supportive services are provided by the San Diego LGBT Community Center. The center provides resources, referrals and activities designed to help residents live healthy, independent lives in a community of acceptance.
Funders for North Park Seniors include US Bank, Union Bank, the San Diego Housing Commission, the city of San Diego, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, FHL Bank San Francisco, Community Housing Capital and Torrey Pines Bank.
