In the morning, everyone boarded a shuttle to check out some affordable housing options for seniors in San Diego. The first stop was Potiker Family Senior Residence, where we learned a lot of information about the space. I was shocked at the number of people on the waitlist for housing options like Potiker, compared to how many housing units there actually are.
We also visited a housing unit where a woman named Irene currently lives, and heard her story. She mentioned how before she came to Potiker, she had to deal with bedbugs and cockroaches. She had a very positive energy, and was incredibly nice and welcoming. We also visited the Sara Francis Hometel, where I noticed that the housing was drastically different. The rooms are smaller but provided the basic necessities needed. We then hopped back on the shuttle and traveled to Celadon, for a quick stop. I learned that the housing units are designed to fit right in with other buildings in the area. I would never be able to tell that that site had affordable housing if not for this trip. What is really nice about Celadon is its proximity to transportation and other amenities. We then traveled to the Path San Diego's Connections Housing, and learned about the services it provides. The building is a one stop homeless services center, and provides a number of services which include medical service, and housing. After that, we visited Atmosphere. Atmosphere also has a sleek style of architecture that blends in with the surrounds, just like the previous places as well. The housing options don't look like what you would typically expect affordable housing to look like. We then visited New Palace Hotel, and learned about its history and affordable housing costs.
The final place we visited was North Park Senior Apartments. This was my favorite location, because not only is it the first affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, but it is also incredibly eco friendly, spacious and comfortable. When I first looked at the center from the outside, it didn't seem that big, but after going on the tour provided Sylvia Martinez, I was surprised by the intention and purpose behind every architectural aspect of the place. The attention to detail was amazing. The apartments had different door colors for every floor, alcoves in the stairs, windows and open hallways, and even different kinds of doorbells depending on accessibility needs.
Overall, I learned a tremendous amount of information from the field trip. My biggest takeaways were that having affordable housing let alone enough housing is a major issue in San Diego. However, the affordable housing options in San Diego having amazing services and resources for seniors who need them. Hopefully in San Diego in the future, there can be more housing options available for people who need them.
We also visited a housing unit where a woman named Irene currently lives, and heard her story. She mentioned how before she came to Potiker, she had to deal with bedbugs and cockroaches. She had a very positive energy, and was incredibly nice and welcoming. We also visited the Sara Francis Hometel, where I noticed that the housing was drastically different. The rooms are smaller but provided the basic necessities needed. We then hopped back on the shuttle and traveled to Celadon, for a quick stop. I learned that the housing units are designed to fit right in with other buildings in the area. I would never be able to tell that that site had affordable housing if not for this trip. What is really nice about Celadon is its proximity to transportation and other amenities. We then traveled to the Path San Diego's Connections Housing, and learned about the services it provides. The building is a one stop homeless services center, and provides a number of services which include medical service, and housing. After that, we visited Atmosphere. Atmosphere also has a sleek style of architecture that blends in with the surrounds, just like the previous places as well. The housing options don't look like what you would typically expect affordable housing to look like. We then visited New Palace Hotel, and learned about its history and affordable housing costs.
The final place we visited was North Park Senior Apartments. This was my favorite location, because not only is it the first affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, but it is also incredibly eco friendly, spacious and comfortable. When I first looked at the center from the outside, it didn't seem that big, but after going on the tour provided Sylvia Martinez, I was surprised by the intention and purpose behind every architectural aspect of the place. The attention to detail was amazing. The apartments had different door colors for every floor, alcoves in the stairs, windows and open hallways, and even different kinds of doorbells depending on accessibility needs.
Overall, I learned a tremendous amount of information from the field trip. My biggest takeaways were that having affordable housing let alone enough housing is a major issue in San Diego. However, the affordable housing options in San Diego having amazing services and resources for seniors who need them. Hopefully in San Diego in the future, there can be more housing options available for people who need them.