National CORE, the nation’s fourth largest nonprofit affordable housing provider, is honored for its Talmadge Senior Village in San Diego

San Diego , CA – Rancho Cucamonga-based National CORE has built the nation’s top affordable housing development with its Talmadge Senior Village project in the City of San Diego, according to a national alliance of builders and developers.
Each year, the Developers & Business Alliance (DBA) recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations in the building industry for their contributions to community growth and quality of life through leadership, veracity and determination.
National CORE (National CORE) was honored this week with DBA’s 2007 National Affordable Housing Project of the Year Award for Talmadge Senior Village.
“It is truly an honor to receive this award,” said Jeffrey S. Burum, Founder and Chairman for National CORE. “A lot of hard work went into making this project a success and we are proud that Talmadge Senior Village has been recognized by one of the most influential trade groups in the building industry.”
“As one of the nation’s largest affordable housing non-profits, this award certainly helps to cement our leadership and success in the industry.”
National CORE operates 8,594 affordable housing units that provide housing for more than 27,000 individuals in seven states. National CORE, a newly formed company which includes Southern California-based National Housing Development Corporation, and Southern California Housing Development Corporation, was recently ranked by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine as the fourth largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in the nation.
Veronica Mendieta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DBA, said Talmadge Senior Village stood out among a list of notable candidates for the top affordable housing honors.
“Affordable housing should be of the same quality as other developments, and should be held to the same quality of standards,” Mendieta said. “National CORE’s project was the cream of this year’s crop.”
Located in San Diego, Talmadge Senior Village serves as an example of successful revitalization through high-quality construction with senior-friendly architectural design.
Once a 29-unit hotel, this new 91-unit complex now houses low-income seniors with additional space for associated office and retail. The project includes a senior activity and wellness center that promotes social interaction among residents and is used for community and educational programs by Hope Through Housing, National CORE’s social services foundation. A physical therapy center designed exclusively for seniors is planned, and an onsite Community Resource Coordinator links Talmadge residents to transportation, health care and prevention services.
Talmadge Senior Village is the product of a successful collaboration between National CORE, the City of San Diego and the San Diego Housing Commission and Redevelopment Agency which resulted in the best use of existing property strategically situated in one of San Diego’s more densely-populated neighborhoods. Talmadge Senior Village’s density echoes that of the surrounding neighborhood, aligning it with the community’s growth expectations.
“This development shows how we can work together to build attractive, affordable housing in San Diego that improves the quality of life for our low-income seniors,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders “This project plays a critical role in meeting the city’s affordable housing needs while simultaneously creating commercial space for the community.”
Talmadge’s mixed-use design combines commercial and community space located in close proximity to vital senior services such as pharmacies, medical centers, grocery stores and public transportation. To enhance senior-independent living, Talmadge’s spacious units are handicap-accessible, and are equipped with safety and convenience features for its residents.
“The Talmadge Senior Village project is proof that neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing go hand-in-hand,” said Third District Councilwoman Toni Atkins. “It is just the kind of development we need in the City of San Diego in order to meet the critical demand of affordable housing for our seniors.”
Not only is Talmadge a senior-friendly community, it is extremely affordable when compared to other senior housing in the area. Talmadge offers one-bedroom apartments with as much as 31% more space than neighboring senior communities for as low as 48% less in rent. Two-bedroom apartments are also slightly bigger, yet residents pay 45% less in rent than at other senior communities.
DBA was established in 2002 as a networking and information sharing organization within the construction and real estate industries. Built as a strong alliance of industry leaders, DBA acts as the common voice for all participants in the different areas of the development and building industry across the United States and abroad. Unifying an array of influential players like National CORE, DBA advances the success of the industry through integration and cooperation of resources.