LA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) - A developer in La Mesa says multi-generational homes could be the key to helping solve San Diego's housing crisis.
The Phair Company has plans to build 30 such homes on a 10-acre patch of land near Eastridge Drive. The development is called "La Mesa Summit Estates."
The homes will feature an extra master-suite, with a bathroom, kitchenette and separate entry. Families with aging parents or adult children who live at home can use that suite to give them independence, while still keeping the family together.
"We heard from the community that they wanted to have this," says Austin Dias, one of the partners in the company.
The Phair Company did four community meetings to help plan the development. The idea for multi-generational homes came from people who attended. They also heard that people wanted one-story homes to avoid going up and down stairs.
After the meetings, the company changed their plans, downsizing the community from 39 to 30 homes and adjusting the floor plans. Now, the development will have 22 single story homes, and eight two-story homes. They range from 2,300 to 3,000 square feet.
"I love it," says Dr. Karen Childress-Evans, who lives across the street from the land. "It's very conscientious to how society is growing right now. Kids are moving back home, we're taking care of our parents. This is a safe alternative to sending them off someplace else."
The company also thinks the cost savings will help in today's housing market.
"This is just part of what needs to happen in San Diego," says Dias. "It just makes sense to keep families together. "The company has an interest list of around 80 potential buyers. They expect it to grow as word gets out about the project.
Dias told 10News he's heard of other companies doing a few multi-generational houses in larger developments, but this is the only one he knows of where every home is built with the extra suite.
The project still needs approval from the La Mesa Planning Commission, and then the City Council. Dias says he's hopeful that will happen this summer, so they can break ground and start construction in the fall. He's hopeful that the homes will be ready by this time next year. There's no word on how much the homes will cost.
