The Chula Vista City Council has decided to name a former motel being converted into permanent supportive housing “Palomar Point.”
The council voted 4-1 this week with Councilmember Michael Inzunza opposed.
The city acquired the former Palomar Motel at 1160 Walnut Ave. in October 2023 with plans to transform it into housing for people experiencing homelessness. The property, built in 1964, has had minimal upgrades since construction and requires substantial rehabilitation, according to Carlos Rodriguez, management analyst for the Housing and Homeless Services Department.
The city selected Wakeland Housing and Development Corp. through a competitive process to renovate and operate the property. Rodriguez said the nonprofit developer has “a 96% housing retention rate and a 96% participation rate for their services” across its permanent supportive housing portfolio.
The project will include 27 units for individuals experiencing homelessness — seven reserved for veterans through the VA Supportive Housing Program and 20 with project-based vouchers — plus one manager’s unit. Wakeland will provide a case manager and activities coordinator, with services tailored to individual needs on a voluntary basis.
Renovation work includes converting rooms into studios with kitchenettes, new flooring, updated fixtures, a new roof, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, fire sprinklers and accessibility improvements. The project will serve as a pilot for the city’s Project Labor Agreement ordinance, with most construction performed by union workers.
Funding sources include ARPA funds for acquisition, Home Key Plus funding for rehabilitation, and $3 million in Housing Authority funding.
The city followed its naming policy adopted Sept. 9, which prioritizes names with a connection to location, political neutrality and uniqueness. After surveying city staff and receiving over 100 suggestions, officials narrowed options to five names and conducted a community survey.
Palomar Point received the most votes, followed by Esperanza, Studios at Palomar, Sora and El Nogal.
Rehabilitation is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with completion by November 2026 and full occupancy by February 2027. A groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively planned for mid-January 2027.