A group of tenants have come together to ensure housing equity and the protection of low-income families at one of the few remaining affordable options in Point Loma.
The Mariner’s Cove Residents Association (MCRA), backed by the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), is calling on the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) to facilitate a critical dialogue with the developers and make changes to the current plan put forward by AIMCO Properties, LLC, and Lincoln Mariners Associates Ltd.
Because the apartment complex sits on public land, the residents argue that city officials have a responsibility to maximize the total number of affordable units over market-rate units. The developer’s proposal, known as the Third Amended Restated Lease (TARL), would do the opposite. If approved without changes, it would demolish the existing 500 units on site and replace them with 772 units.
The current lease agreement between the owners and the city requires that there are 60% affordable and 40% market-rate housing. After construction, those numbers will flip. Mariner’s Cove, a mixed-income community home to many Ethiopian immigrants, would have 40% affordable and 60% market-rate housing.
Even though plans for Mariner’s Cove’s redevelopment have been in the works for years, the residents have been given very little information about the proposal. At a minimum, they believe they should have a say in any proposal in order to protect the interests of all persons who seek affordable housing. The city has consistently fallen short of its own affordable housing goals and the waiting lists for such units are long.
Many of the residents live and work in the Point Loma area, where their children also go to school. If forced to leave Mariner’s Cove, they worry that it’ll cause extreme hardship both personally and financially. They’re asking SDHC not to allow the developer to maximize its profits at the expense of people who are in desperate need of affordable housing.
“We can’t afford market rent,” said Sara, a resident and mom of four.
Key demands raised by the MCRA include:
Fair Allocation of Affordable Units: Most of the members of the MCRA are at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI) and they’re concerned about the equitable distribution of units based on size. A mere six of the new 772 units would be slated for people at or below 60% AMI, and the residents have asked for a fair process that ensures managers don’t prioritize tenants who are at 80% or 120% AMI for apartments of various sizes.
Tenant Engagement and Transparency: Despite previous assurances from SDHC, residents have been overlooked in discussions about the construction timeline, relocation plans, and other significant issues. So far, there has not been an inclusive process in place where tenants can voice their concerns and propose changes.
Relocation and Right of Return: It’s not even clear whether the residents will continue to receive subsidized rents during relocation, who will cover their relocation costs during construction, whether they’ll need to reapply for their old apartments, or whether they’ll have a right to return.
Residents and advocates consider it important to address these issues now to prevent further displacement and financial hardship for low-income families in San Diego.
Bereket, member of the Mariner’s Cove Residents’ Association Leadership Team, said he and many of his neighbors are already struggling to get by. “All my money goes to bills, food, rent.” Without Section 8, he said, “I would be homeless because the living cost is very high.” He emphasized the potential impact of the redevelopment, stating, “We would be homeless for sure.”
As tenants rally to protect the rights of Mariner’s Cove residents, they also call on community members and local organizations to join their fight for housing justice. Call your local council member and tell them you support the demands of MCRA and PANA. Residents are organizing a series of community meetings to further discuss these issues and mobilize support. Tenants encourage San Diego residents to get involved, stay informed, and advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing and prevent displacement, especially on city-owned property. Look for further information in this publication.
“It is a very good neighborhood for me and my family,” said Semere, one of the members of the Mariner’s Cove Residents’ Association, who owns and operates a taxi service all over San Diego.
Everyone pays for city-owned land, and the benefit of having people housed who would not otherwise be able to afford rents without reduced-rent housing, is just as important as a developer making a profit. Together, all San Diego residents should hold the city and developers accountable to ensure that affordable housing is preserved in every new development, but especially on city-owned land.