• Funding to support Turning the Key, a revolutionary initiative to create 2,000 units of affordable housing
• Grant to enable motel conversion into permanent, affordable apartments for people transitioning out of homelessness
• Homeless services provider working to identify potential motel location

San Diego CA— Inspired by Father Joe’s Villages’ mission of preventing and ending homelessness one life at a time, the David C. Copley Foundation gifted the nonprofit a $2.5-million grant to fund the planned conversion of an under-utilized San Diego motel into affordable apartments for people transitioning out of homelessness and into permanent housing. The grant reflects Copley Foundation’s commitment to supporting affordable housing solutions in San Diego.
“I cannot thank the Copley Foundation enough for their leadership in making this tremendous contribution. It is only through the generosity of the San Diego community that our work and our mission to prevent and end homelessness is made a reality,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “Housing is the single most effective way of getting people off of the streets for good. With this gift, eventually another 100 people will leave homelessness behind, leading to a more prosperous future for all of San Diego.”
Father Joe’s Villages is currently identifying a location for its new community.
The Copley Foundation and Father Joe’s Villages have a long-standing relationship. Most recently, the Foundation contributed $50,000 to support the Family Living Center, a unique program for homeless families.
On any given night, over 7,600 people experience homelessness in San Diego. High rental prices and low vacancy rates contribute to this crisis throughout the region. This proposed community and the Turning the Key initiative respond to this housing crisis by providing affordable housing and comprehensive support services for San Diego’s most vulnerable people and families.
“As we all have witnessed, homelessness in San Diego County has become an overwhelming problem, our County is in crisis, and it simply is not acceptable to allow our fellow human beings to remain living on the street without a roof over their head,” said Kimberly Koch, Chief Operating Officer of the David C. Copley Foundation. “The Copley Foundation believes Father Joe’s is well qualified and has a proven track record of helping the homeless in San Diego and that is exactly what we hope to achieve with Copley’s grant award.”
The proposed development is part of Father Joe’s Villages’ Turning the Key initiative, a bold initiative which will create 2,000 affordable apartments with supportive services for individuals and families overcoming homelessness.
Other Turning the Key projects include Benson Place, a converted motel with 82 affordable units, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa, an upcoming East Village community which will provide a home to more than 500 individuals exiting homelessness in its 407 units.
Once built, each housing location will generate enough rent to cover expenses related to building operations and services.
Turning the Key relies on a strategic blend of existing public dollars and private contributions to develop