Providing Shelter to Homeless Seniors

San Diego, Calif. – National CORE (National CORE) welcomes residents to their new homes at the recently completed San Ysidro Senior Village in San Diego. This stunning affordable housing community provides 50 fully furnished studio apartment homes for chronically homeless individuals, 55 years and better.

“San Ysidro Senior Village illustrates the collaborative approach that is needed to address the homeless issue in San Diego,” said National CORE President and CEO Steve PonTell. “It provides residents the opportunity for a fresh start and the supportive services they need to thrive.”

The move-in process presented many challenges for National CORE’s property management team and the lead services provider, the Hope through Housing Foundation. Because of the pandemic, residents were moved into their new homes one by one, to keep both the residents and staff safe, all while wearing required face masks, practicing social distancing, and sanitizing materials and surfaces between each move-in.

Before the final move-in, residents received a private tour of the new community and all of its amenities, including the community center, outdoor community garden, barbeque station, and laundry facilities. Social service providers from Hope through Housing, Casa Familiar, and Father Joe’s Villages provided food and other essential items to welcome residents to their new home. Many of the residents are adjusting to the new environment after being on the streets for years and in some cases decades. Service coordinators will work with residents to acclimate them to their new surroundings, teach them life skills, and help residents to feel safe and secure in their new homes.

The team at San Ysidro Senior Village will begin working with residents one-on-one, focusing on health and well-being. The adjustment has been harder on some than others. One of the new residents needed a little extra coaxing to enter his new apartment. The community manager spoke gently to him and told him he was home. A little while later, the community manager went back to check on the resident and found him sound asleep on his new bed.

“San Ysidro Senior Village is top of the line. Many of the residents were shocked by the quality of the housing. They were not expecting this,” said Regional Property Manager Javany Martinez. “National CORE is truly transforming lives and ensuring that our residents feel at home.”

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About National CORE and Hope through Housing

National CORE is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. CORE manages more than 9,000 affordable, senior, and market-rate units in California, Texas, and Florida. Over its two-decades of history, Hope through Housing has provided more than 2 million hours of transformational social services helping children and teens achieve success, improving families’ financial well-being, and promoting seniors’ health and wellness. For more information on National CORE and Hope through Housing, please visit www.nationalcore.org and www.hthf.org.

Media Contact:
Jill Van Balen
[email protected]
(909) 204-3434