News Release
Media Contact: Myrna Marston, MPR+Strategic Communications, 619-733-9291
myrna@marstonmpr.com
Chelsea Investment Corporation, Alpha Project for the Homeless, and Mayor Todd Gloria, Celebrate the Grand Opening for Harrington Heights, a 273-Unit Affordable Housing Development for Veterans, Unsheltered Individuals, Intellectually and/or Developmentally Disabled, and Low-Income Individuals and Families
San Diego, CA – October 8, 2025: Carlsbad-based Chelsea Investment Corporation (“Chelsea”), Alpha Project for the Homeless, Mayor Todd Gloria, and California Chief Deputy Treasurer Patrick Henning celebrated the Grand Opening of Harrington Heights, a 15-story, 273-unit affordable housing development located at 1320 Broadway, in San Diego’s East Village area of downtown. 270 units are restricted to low-income individuals and households and 3 units will be occupied by onsite managers. Of the 270 income restricted units, 65 will be set aside for literally and chronically homeless individuals, 10 will be set aside for homeless veterans, and 40 will be set aside for residents with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The San Diego Housing Commission is providing rental assistance for 115 studio units which will further support the residents of Harrington Heights.
“Harrington Heights is proof that the reforms we’ve made to boost affordable housing in San Diego are working,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We can’t do it alone — it takes homebuilders like Chelsea Investment Corporation putting hammer to nail to create the homes that bring stability to people’s lives. Projects like this are lifelines for veterans, people with disabilities, and San Diegans who’ve experienced homelessness, and they show what we can do when the public and private sectors work together.”
The city provided a ground lease for the 19,000-square-foot site and also contributed $10 million toward the project. “We are grateful for our partnership with the city to bring Harrington Heights to fruition,” said Charles Schmid, CEO of Chelsea. Harrington Heights is one of two recent affordable housing developments successfully permitted through the city’s Affordable Housing Permit Now program. “Through the Mayor’s leadership in putting policies in place to expedite affordable housing developments, we were able to fast-track this project and get low-income individuals and families, homeless veterans, and unsheltered people into apartment homes they can afford much sooner. I am confident that Harrington Heights will serve as an outstanding example of what can be accomplished through a public-private partnership where private development expertise is deployed to support state and local housing objectives.”
Funding sources for Harrington Heights include, among others, the City of San Diego ($10M), San Diego Housing Commission ($8M), California’s Multi-Family Housing Program ($20M), California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities ($13.7M), California Infill Infrastructure Grant ($6M), California Department of Development Services and the San Diego Regional Center ($4.25M), federal and state tax credits from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, and tax-exempt bonds from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee.
California State Deputy Treasurer, Patrick Henning, said: “Harrington Heights is a strong example of how state resources can deliver lasting change,” said Patrick Henning, Chief Deputy Treasurer to Fiona Ma, CPA of the California State Treasurer’s Office. “Through the work of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, we’ve helped create permanent, affordable homes for veterans, families, and individuals with disabilities. Projects like this demonstrate the results we can achieve when state, local, and private partners work together to expand housing opportunities for Californians.”
“Harrington Heights is a model of what can be achieved when state leadership and Prohousing communities share a vision for housing all Californians with dignity,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “From an underutilized lot to a beacon of opportunity, generations of San Diegans can now afford to live, work, and learn in the heart of the vibrant East Village community.”
The project name pays homage to the family of Lynn Schmid, nee Harrington, wife of Chelsea Investment Corporation’s founder and chairman, Jim Schmid. The Harringtons set their roots in San Diego over 60 years ago when James Harrington, a Marine Corps Major, was stationed in Coronado. Throughout his career in the Marine Corps, James served in three wars and was awarded a Purple Heart. Marion Harrington, James’ wife, and Lynn’s mother, passed away at the age of 95 in March 2022. “This project will carry on the Harrington legacy and provide housing to 273 families and individuals in the San Diego area, many of which will be veterans at risk of homelessness. This would make my grandparents so proud,” said Emma Scoville, granddaughter of James and Marion Harrington.
Services will be available to all residents free of charge and will be coordinated by Alpha Project for the Homeless. Services for all residents will include instructor-led education and skill-building classes that incorporate computer literacy, job counseling, financial literacy, and health and wellness, as well as social activities to encourage resident involvement, reduce isolation, and foster a sense of community. Case management services will also be provided for the 75 homeless individuals to encourage resistant residents to access support, incentives, additional training techniques, and additional engagement services.
Harrington Heights was built by Level 10 Construction and Chelsea affiliate Emmerson Construction.
Designed by Joseph Wong Design Associates (“JWDA”), Harrington Heights is a single U-shaped tower with 224 studio units, 22 one-bedroom units, and 27 two-bedroom units. The design will include 15 percent of the units with mobility features and 10 percent of the units with communication features for residents with visual or hearing impairments. The remaining units will be adaptable to accessibility requirements if the need arises.
About Chelsea Investment Corporation
Since 1984, Chelsea has invested over $3 billion to develop over 15,000 units of affordable housing for populations including low-income seniors and families, farmworkers, individuals at risk for homelessness, and homeless veterans. Chelsea Investment Corporation was named the largest California-based affordable housing developer in 2021, and the 17th largest affordable housing developer in the country. Chelsea’s expertise includes urban infill, mixed-use, suburban inclusionary, renovation, and rural properties. The company is the first in California to deliver affordable apartments set aside for households with a family member who has a developmental disability, such as autism, epilepsy, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy. Chelsea is a fully integrated affordable housing developer and offers turnkey finance, development, general contracting, and property/asset management services. For more information visit: Chelsea Investment Corporation (chelseainvestco.com)