Father Joe’s Villages begins construction of high-rise affordable housing

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Crews began construction Tuesday on a 400-unit housing complex that will bring low-income housing to the downtown San Diego community.

Father Joe’s Villages is heading the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa project at 14th and Commercial streets, which is set to open in about two years.

Speakers at the event included CEO of the nonprofit Deacon Jim Vargas, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City Councilman Chris Ward and county Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. The Rev. Bishop John Dolan, auxiliary bishop of San Diego and a Father Joe’s Village board member, blessed the site and said a prayer during the ceremony.

Funding for the $145 million project came from a variety of sources, including a $10 million donation from philanthropist Terrence Caster, founder of the Caster Group.