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Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground On Multi-Unit Housing Project In National City

National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis throws the first shovel of dirt at the ceremonial groundbreaking at Habitat For Humanity project in National City on July 28, 2020.
Andi Dukleth
National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis throws the first shovel of dirt at the ceremonial groundbreaking at Habitat For Humanity project in National City on July 28, 2020.

The median asking price for a single-family home in San Diego now stands at $650,000 — making homeownership out of reach for many.

A new project in National City will change that for six lucky families.

Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground On Multi-Unit Housing Project In National City
Listen to this story by John Carroll.

A dirt lot at the corner of Harding Avenue and West 18th Street in National City is in the process of transformation. Habitat for Humanity is partnering with the San Diego Community Land Trust to build six townhomes on this site.

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On Tuesday morning, there was a ceremonial groundbreaking.

National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis threw the first shovel of dirt. Because of physical distancing, several others followed her one by one.

“This for us is a first, but it’s also too not the last,” Sotelo-Solis said.

RELATED: San Diego Falls Well Short Of 10-Year Housing Goals, But Sees Promising Growth

VIDEO: Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground On Multi-Unit Housing Project In National City

Six three-bedroom, 2½-bath townhomes between 1,100 and 1,300 square feet will be built. The mayor said the project is a great step toward returning the neighborhood to primarily residential.

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“Hey, this is what we want," she said. "A walkable, breathable neighborhood that is for us, is for not only this generation but generations to come.”

As is the case with every Habitat project, the families that are selected to purchase the townhomes will also help build them.

Mortgages won’t be any higher than 30% of a family’s household income.

The head of San Diego Habitat for Humanity, Lori Pfeiler, said having a home is about so much more than just a place to stay.

“That’s when their health improves, that’s when their children do better in school, they have a place to study," she said. "A home is such a foundational need for families to be able to thrive.”

The start of construction was delayed a few months because of COVID 19, but now everything is underway.

If all goes well, the new townhomes should be ready for their families by the spring of next year.