Caritas and Level 3 break ground on 24-unit affordable housing project in Vista

The Caritas Corporation and Level 3 Construction have started work on Caritas Village – Vista, a 24-unit affordable housing community in North County San Diego. The $8.7 million project is expected to finish in summer 2027 and adds another affordable housing option in a tight market.

Why it matters: - Caritas Village – Vista adds 24 affordable homes in Vista, where demand for attainable housing remains tight. - The project is Caritas Corporation’s first development in San Diego County. - The community is designed to serve up to 64 residents in North County San Diego. - The development is intended to give low- and limited-income families a stable housing option in the city.

What happened: - The Caritas Corporation and Level 3 Construction announced the groundbreaking of Caritas Village – Vista on Aug. 25 in Vista, Calif. - The $8.7 million project will be built at 325 Plymouth Drive. - City of Vista officials, Chamber of Commerce representatives and other community leaders joined the groundbreaking ceremony. - Construction is expected to finish in summer 2027.

The details: - The 28,787-square-foot development will include two three-story apartment buildings. - Each apartment building will contain 12 homes. - The community will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units. - The site will include 25 on-site parking spaces and additional nearby street parking. - A single-story community building will house a clubhouse, leasing office, laundry facility and maintenance room. - Caritas awarded Level 3 Construction the contract to build the project. - Level 3 Construction specializes in multifamily, hotel, mixed-use and affordable housing projects. - The project followed months of collaboration between Level 3 Construction and WHA, Inc., the Irvine-based architecture and planning firm that designed the community. - Level 3 Construction completed design and constructability reviews and value engineering to cut costs without changing the project’s intent. - Crews have already completed initial grading, drilling and shoring at the site. - Caritas will post information about the community on its website in January 2027.

Between the lines: - Caritas leaders framed the project as both a housing investment and a community-building effort. - Caritas vice president Gabe Chavez said the Vista project helps preserve the ability of families to remain in a city they know and love. - Level 3 Construction said early coordination with WHA helped provide greater certainty on cost and schedule before construction began. - The project also extends Level 3 Construction’s growing portfolio of affordable and workforce housing in North County San Diego.

What's next: - Construction will continue through 2027 as the project moves toward completion. - Caritas expects to share community information online in January 2027. - The finished project will open with one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable homes for local residents.

The bottom line: - Caritas Village – Vista brings new affordable housing capacity to Vista and marks Caritas Corporation’s first San Diego County development.