The Keeler Court Apartments create affordable, sustainable design solutions for the Southcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Fulfilling a great need for housing in this area, the Keeler Court Apartments provide 71 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes for families and individuals earning 30-60 percent of the area median income. Seven of these units are reserved for formerly unhoused veterans, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD, and the San Diego Housing Commission.

The site is immediately adjacent to many amenities and community resources, offering enhanced community connectivity, walkability, and bikeability for residents. Nearby amenities include a grocery store, pharmacy, retail, a local elementary school within 5-minute walking distance, and the adjacent Southcrest Park and Recreation Center. In addition, the Keeler Court Apartments are within a 10-minute walk to public transit. The site offers views to downtown and the Coronado Bridge. Keeler Court is also in close proximity two of  Community HousingWorks (CHW)'s other affordable complexes, Mayberry Townhomes and Las Serenas.

Partnering with CHW, the design team focused on establishing a connected community within the development and setting residents up for success. CHW is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the San Diego area and California for over 30 years, providing affordable housing for families and individuals as well as several resident programs that contribute to resident empowerment, financial wellness, health and well-being, and children’s academic needs. CHW’s commitment to the Southcrest neighborhood includes quality design and enhanced resident services to help families to achieve their goals.

Keeler Court includes two four-story buildings connected by exterior pedestrian bridges that serve as focal points of the project overlooking the San Diego Bay. The design allows the minimization of solar heat gain to the units, provides access to views and daylight, and promotes natural ventilation. The development’s hub of activity is the community courtyard where residents can enjoy the barbeque and picnic area, children’s play area, and multi-purpose community room and kitchen. The project also includes a manager’s unit, laundry room, bicycle storage, on-grade covered and open parking, and common landscape areas.

The project is registered to achieve Greenpoint Platinum certification, the highest level of sustainability. PV panels and a solar hot water system installed on the apartment rooftops are predicted to generate renewable energy. Sustainable site features include stormwater retention, no or low VOC materials, low-flow water fixtures in apartments, and a cool roof system to reduce heat gain and enhance comfort for residents while also reducing utility costs.