New Community Blends Preservation and Construction, Delivers 65 Affordable Homes Supporting Working Families and People Exiting Homelessness
PATCH | SCATENA DANIELS
NOVEMBER 14, 2025
Housing advocates and local leaders joined together today to open doors at Serenade on 43rd, a new affordable housing community in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood that thoughtfully blends the rehabilitation of existing affordable homes with new construction to create a welcoming, mid-century-inspired community.
Developed by local nonprofits Wakeland Housing and Housing Innovation Partners (HIP), the $40 million development transformed a 0.68-acre site into a unified community of 65 affordable homes, combining 45 new apartments with the rehabilitation of 20 existing units of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing. The result is a cohesive, beautiful campus that honors the neighborhood’s history while providing high-quality, affordable homes for both low-income working families and individuals exiting homelessness, with onsite services and spaces designed to foster stability, health, and connection.
Integrating Art and Music into the Community
Themes of recovery and hope through music are woven throughout Serenade on 43rd in multiple ways. The development’s name draws inspiration from Tom Waits’ “San Diego Serenade,” reflecting the community-building and healing power of music while celebrating the artist’s San Diego roots. The property features a series of murals led by the ArtReach Mural Program, designed by local artist Josué Baltézar, and painted in collaboration with City Heights residents. Together, they transformed three large exterior walls into a visual narrative celebrating home, safety, nature, resilience, and music. These public art elements reflect themes of harmony and renewal that inspired the name Serenade on 43rd, turning the property into both a home and a visual celebration of community pride.
“Affordable housing creates stability, and art deepens that stability by nurturing connection and hope,” said Izzy Halpern, Mural Program Manager at ArtReach San Diego. “At Serenade on 43rd, residents came together through the mural project, sharing their stories and helping paint the artwork to build a shared sense of belonging. That creative process is part of the healing and community care that makes this place so special.”
About Wakeland Housing
Wakeland Housing transforms lives and communities with high-quality, affordable, and supportive housing paired with impactful resident services. With 9,000 homes across 69 properties, we take pride in creating high-quality, attractive communities that serve the unique needs of the people who live there. Our housing is more than shelter: it’s a foundation for health, stability, and opportunity that uplifts low-income working families, seniors, veterans, and people who have experienced homelessness. Learn more at www.wakelandhdc.com.
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