The city of San Diego Monday recommended allocating $15 million in Bridge to Home funding to four proposed housing projects, which would create a total of 528 affordable homes, pending city council approval.

The funding being recommended is part of the gap-financing program’s sixth round. In San Diego, Bridge to Home has spent nearly $108 million to expedite the construction of 2,148 affordable homes across 24 projects.

“We’re fighting every day to make housing attainable for all San Diegans,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “With this new round of Bridge to Home funding, we’re driving forward hundreds of affordable homes and sending a clear message: San Diego is building a future where everyone has a place to live and a chance to thrive.”

In July, the city issued a notice of available funding, inviting developers to propose projects aimed at increasing the supply of low- to moderate-income housing units. The initiative offers gap financing to help make such projects viable.

San Diego received nine responses, requesting a total of $46.2 million. The city recommended four of those projects:

• Global Village by Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans / Hitzke Development in Redwood Village: 137 homes, 41 of which are dedicated to those who make 40% or less of the area median income. Development will also include a 2,000-square-foot childcare center, a global market and a community open space;
• The Joule by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation / Citythinkers, Inc. in Grantville: 208 homes, 55 of which are set aside for those at risk of homelessness;
• Promenade Apartments by CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development / Community Revitalization Development Corporation in Hillcrest: 94 homes for small to large families, with 11 earmarked as permanent supportive housing units providing supportive services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Eighteen homes will be for those at risk of homelessness; and
• Salvation Army Rady Center by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation in East Village: 89 homes for seniors, 55 set aside as permanent supportive housing for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those with serious mental illnesses.

“Affordable housing is foundational to a thriving, inclusive city,” Economic Development Director Christina Bibler said.

“These investments would not only create much-needed homes, but they would also bring community benefits, like an on-site childcare center and locations in high- and highest-resource areas with access to quality schools, jobs, transit and cleaner environments. These investments will lead to stronger economic, educational and health outcomes for the San Diegans who need them most.”

The proposals were evaluated on how feasible they were, how they fit the neighborhoods they will be constructed in and community support. They were weighed more heavily if the projects were being considered in areas with nearby resources or had a plan for daycare.

Developers had to have been part of San Diego’s pre-qualified developers list.

According to the city, of the $15 million in this round of Bridge to Home funding, $10 million comes from former redevelopment funds, the use of which is restricted to creating new housing, including site improvements as well as construction.

The other $5 million is being provided by the city itself from federal housing and community development funding to allow smaller developers to build projects of 40 units or fewer.

City staff will present its recommendations to the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Each loan will then need to be approved by the full City Council.

A total of 2,148 affordable homes have been at least partially financed through Bridge to Home since 2021, when Gloria began the program. Of these, 421 come with services to prevent people from falling into homelessness.

So far, 390 of the homes are occupied. Another 392 homes are currently under construction, with 286 of those expected to be completed by next spring.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — An infant boy was found dead in a portable restroom in Mission Bay on Monday, according to the San Diego Police Department. 

A 911 call was made around 1:27 p.m. after an employee found the infant’s body inside a restroom at Sunset Point/Dana Landing. Authorities are investigating the death as suspicious.  

The San Diego Fire Department, San Diego Lifeguards and SDPD all responded to the scene. Paramedics pronounced the infant dead shortly after. 

The identity of the boy or his parents is unknown to investigators at this time. A pediatric death investigation is underway and the SDPD Homicide Unit was notified. 

Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding this incident, including the parents’ identity, to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. 

SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A holiday-themed pop-up in North County taking place this weekend is especially made for those with a sweet tooth and a penchant for chocolates.

French pastry chef and U.S. chocolate master Christophe Rull will join forces with Michelin-trained chocolatier Annaluna Karkar to host a two-day pop-up at Rull’s patisserie in San Marcos.

The event, which takes place on both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature a holiday menu of Karkar’s handcrafted chocolates alongside Rull’s pastries.

Born in France, Rull has won several awards for his work in the baking industry — including winning the 2021 U.S. round of the World Chocolate Masters competition and appearing on the Netflix show “Bake Squad.”

Karkar, on the other hand, has won many accolades of her own for her work with chocolates, combining impressive techniques with creative flavors. She founded the small-batch and artisan chocolate business, Après l’Étoile.

Together, Rull and Karkar are inviting the public to get a taste of their unique creations:

Owl Chocolate Bonbons

• Hazelnut Crisp
• Dark Chocolate/Caramel
• Peanut Butter/Caramel
• Dark Chocolate Passion/Coconut

Chocolate Tablets

• Milk Chocolate Tablet
• Dark Chocolate Tablet

Candy Chocolate Bars

• Baklava
• Sticky Toffee
• Raspberry Pistachio
• Coffee Caramel

Handcrafted Chocolate Stems

Chocolate Holiday Pieces

• Nutcrackers
• Stag Plaque
• Gingerbread House & Tree Plaque
• Chocolate Christmas Tree Confections

Christophe Rull Patisserie is located at 51 N. City Drive in San Marcos.