St. Luke’s Breaks Ground on 78 Affordable Homes

The hum of passing traffic underscored a hopeful buzz of the crowd gathered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Clergy, civic leaders, developers, and neighbors stood together at the corner of Gunn and 30th Streets to witness a remarkable milestone: the groundbreaking of a new 78-unit affordable housing development on church grounds.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 28, 2025, marked the official start of construction on the first project of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s (EDSD) Mission Real Estate initiative—an effort to reimagine underutilized church property as a tool for community flourishing. In partnership with Trestle Build, the new development will provide much-needed housing for individuals and families earning 30–70% of the area’s median income.

But beyond the shovels and architectural drawings, the ceremony reflected something deeper–the gospel made visible by welcoming new neighbors into our community.

At the center of the Mission Real Estate initiative is the Christian call to love our neighbors in word and in deed. “Love for our neighbor is not just a feeling,” said Bishop Susan Brown Snook. “It’s an action, a commitment to justice, hospitality, and the flourishing of our neighborhoods.”

In the Episcopal tradition, Christ’s call to love is not an intellectual pursuit—it is lived out through service, advocacy, and being in community with one another. Every person is beautifully and wonderfully made, and every person deserves dignity, shelter, and belonging. Jesus himself said, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me” (Matthew 25:40). Christ’s call to service came alive in North Park as for new affordable homes and a new way of being church in the world.

“We believe it’s part of our mission in this diocese, in this church, to be partners with our neighborhood,” said Bishop Susan Brown Snook. “We see a number of homeless people in this neighborhood and a number of people who really can’t afford adequate housing for themselves and their families. So, this is our way of contributing to the well-being of the whole neighborhood.”

The vision for this project began in 2018 when leaders at St. Luke’s realized that many of their own parishioners were being priced out of the neighborhood. Families who had worshiped together for years were suddenly facing impossible rent increases and displacement. As the leadership team discerned a faithful response, one idea emerged over and over: use the land. What if the church garden—beautiful but underutilized—could be transformed into affordable homes?

Nicodemus Lim, junior warden of St. Luke’s Church, said, “I feel like it’s a prayer that has been answered by God because a lot of my friends left the city who were part of this church – St. Luke’s Church – they left San Diego because they could not afford to live here. And so, that is basically breaking the community apart. But if we have something that will keep us together, that is a blessing.”

It wasn’t a quick or easy road. Real estate development is complex, and church-led real estate development is even more so. But with the support of the Diocese and the expertise of Trestle Build, the dream began to take shape. Rob Morgan, Principal at Trestle Build, said, “St. Luke’s and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego saw the need, had the vision, and the faith to take action. We’re honored to bring our expertise and passion for urban affordable housing to the table, working alongside them to turn that vision into homes that will serve this community for generations to come.”

North Park is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood filled with creative energy, cultural diversity, and local charm. But it’s also a place where housing costs have skyrocketed in recent years, displacing many people who give the neighborhood its soul—essential workers, artists, young families, and longtime residents. The new apartment building at St. Luke’s will provide homes that people can afford within easy walking distance to grocery stores, schools, parks, libraries, and transit stops. 

“We’re not just building apartments,” said Jessica Ripper, EDSD Mission Real Estate Portfolio Manager, “we’re building homes and creating opportunities for people to remain rooted in community.”

St. Luke’s has long been a community hub—offering English classes, refugee resettlement support, meals for the unhoused, and a spiritual home for those from all walks of life. Supporting the development of new homes is a natural extension of that mission. 

In an era of rising inequality and increased numbers of residents priced out of rental housing, St. Luke’s has chosen to model what it means to be the Church in the 21st century: one rooted in justice, abundance, and trust in God’s provision.

The Diocese and its partners hope that this project will inspire other churches, faith communities, and civic leaders to take bold steps toward housing justice. Church land is among the few types of urban real estate that are not driven exclusively by profit. When activated for the public good, it can have profound impacts.

As the group held the first shovelful of dirt, the spirit of the moment was clear–this is just the beginning. EDSD is committed to continuing this work–building a future where everyone has a place to belong.

“This is the Church the world needs,” said Bishop Susan. “A Church that puts love into action, that listens to the cries of its neighbors, and that dares to believe that with God’s help, we can build a more just and compassionate world.”

For more information about this project or the Mission Real Estate initiative, visit EDSD.org/MRE.

News coverage from Fox5 San Diego can be found here.

News coverage from NBC San Diego can be found here.

News coverage from KPBS can be found here.