‘Affordable Housing’ Defined at The Bel in Hillcrest

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

It is no surprise that the new 80-unit, eight-story apartment building called The Bel in the heart of Hillcrest is already 100 percent occupied. In addition, as of late July there are more than 1,000 hopefuls on the waiting list.

The developer of the housing structure, Trestle Development, stuck to its promise of designating 79 of the 80 units as “deed-restricted affordable housing” for low-income families and individuals. The remaining unit is utilized by the building’s management company.

While most new apartment buildings that are rapidly springing up throughout San Diego only include small percentages of low-income units, The Bel is classified as a “100 percent affordable housing project,” which falls under a specialized class of housing projects that San Diego still lacks.

Even better, The Bel has publicly shared its “affordable” rent prices—something that many developers and local politicians tend to withhold when such numbers are asked by the media and others.

It’s been reported that the monthly prices at The Bel start at $796 for studios; $844 and above for one-bedroom units; and $1,002 and above for the two-and-three-bedroom apartments. The price breaks are exclusively for households earning 30 to 50 percent of the area’s median income.

Perks and amenities include proximity to public transit and medical centers; a courtyard with barbecue grills; and community, conference and laundry rooms. But there are no parking spaces for residents or visitors because the complex is located a half-mile or less from a trolley line, which under the guidelines of San Diego’s Transit Priority Area. makes it permissible to eliminate parking altogether.