Union Tower Apartments 

Interest List 
To sign up for the interest list: Visit www.uniontowerapts.com or call (619) 703-0856
Households will select their desired unit size. Then, (1) Fill in name, phone #, email address, and optional notes (2) Be sure to select "Send." 

Please note, this project is subject to National City's Local Preference Policy (Linked here)

Project Update August 2025 Update | September 2025 Update | October 2025 Update | November 2025 Update | December 2025 Update | January 2026 Update | February 2026 Update | April 2026 Update

Press Release 2/25/2026 

Project Description | Union Tower is being developed by Wakeland Housing Development Corporation (Wakeland), a non-profit organization that serves low-income communities. Union Tower will be a 100% multi-family and affordable new housing construction development located at 2312 F Avenue in National City. There will be two (2) four and seven-story buildings with a total of 94 affordable housing units ranging from 30% to 60% of the County of San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI) (reference project website for specific AMI information). There will be multiple adaptable features in more than half of the units (69 units total), including 15 mobility feature units and 10 communication feature units. Of the total units, 24 will be restricted to veterans who have experienced homelessness.

Quality of Life | The Union Tower Project aims to increase equity and community sustainability by adding to the supply of quality affordable housing and catalyzing the longer-term effort to revitalize the 22-acre National City Park Apartments. The Project will offer easy access to public transit, shopping, and many other community resources. While living at Union Tower, residents will be able to participate in several on-site activities that offer opportunities for residents to reach greater levels of economic stability and personal growth. Wrap-around supportive services will be provided to Veterans who have experienced homelessness, including case management, physical and mental health care, and resident service coordination. Seeking input and guidance from residents, Union Tower will tailor meaningful and comprehensive services that meet resident needs and interests without duplicating services already offered in the greater community, for example, linking adult residents to workforce opportunities, computer training/literacy, job search, resume writing, financial counseling, after school homework help/tutoring, and mentoring.


Energy and green building design construction elements already incorporated for the project include:
  • All-electric design
  • High-efficiency heat pumps for heating and cooling
  • Heat pump hot water heating
  • High-efficiency windows
  • Quality insulation
  • Low Volatile Organic Compounds (Low-VOC)
  • Locally procured materials.

Parking | The Project will have 45 spaces including five (5) Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces, and 16 bicycle parking spaces.

All Funding | The total Project costs are estimated at $85,488,798 with funding sources from Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (IIG), HCD Multifamily Housing Program (MHP), HCD Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP), San Diego County Innovative Housing Trust Fund (IHTF) Project Based Vouchers (PBV), private loans, a deferred developer fee, the National City Housing Fund Loan (reference NOFA Funding section below), and HUD HOME Loan (reference HUD Funding section below).

NOFA Funding | Community Development Commission-Housing Authority of the City of National City (“CDC-HA”) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) to solicit applications for affordable housing rental or ownership projects, prioritizing projects that serve low-income households, created new affordable rental and ownership housing, leverage outside resources, that are ready to start construction, align with the components of the 2021-2029 Housing Element and 2021-2025 Housing Strategic Plan, and are projects in communities of opportunity e.g., near transit and amenities), among other criteria. The funds will serve as gap financing for new construction, acquisition with rehabilitation, or rehabilitation of affordable rental, homeownership, and permanent supportive housing projects. The funding is intended to partially fill the gap in a development’s financial structure after all other available sources of housing development funds are utilized. These funds will provide financing at below-market interest rates with deferred loan repayment for affordable housing projects.

Resolution 2022-85 approves the loan award for eight million dollars ($8,000,000) to Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation who responded to the Affordable Housing Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) originally released on October 14, 2021.  

HUD Funding | At the City Council Meeting on February 6, 2024, a Public Hearing was held for the Project to receive additional gap funding the City Council of the City of National City, California adopted the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Substantial Amendment to the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan and the allocation of $1,035,092.82 in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grant funds, $170,808.46 in HOME-Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) grant fund, and $294,098.73 in HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) grant funds as a conditional loan to Union Tower by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation.

Loan Terms | The Housing Fund Loan and HOME Loan are conditioned by the Housing Authority in part upon the recordation of the Regulatory Agreement setting forth certain restrictions upon the use and sale of the Property.

The Housing Fund Loan and HOME Loan are three percent (3%) simple interest, a 55-year term, except in the event of a default under the Note or any of the Loan Documents. The Note is made pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Deed of Trust, to be recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of San Diego County.

San Diego County Building Trades Council (SDCBTC) | The SDCBTC is the site owner and has provided a long-term lease to the development. SDCBTC will rent the seventh floor of Union Tower to use as a meeting place and provide services to its members.

Affordable Units | The Regulatory Agreement will restrict the Affordable Units in accordance with the requirements of the funding sources and covenants and restrictions. The Regulatory Agreement will become effective when it's recorded through January 15, 2080. Union Tower will have ninety-three (93) total  affordable units (“Affordable Units”), 11 floating HOME Affordable Units (“HOME Affordable Units”), and one (1) unrestricted manager’s unit (collectively the “Project”).

HOME Housing Unit Terms | HOME Units must be restricted at 50% and 60% of the area median income for the rent and occupancy restrictions applicable to the 11 Floating HOME Affordable Units.

Floating HOME Units are defined as “floating” because the units designated as HOME-assisted may change over time as long as the total number of HOME-assisted units in the project remains constant. For example, when the gross income of a tenant who occupies a HOME Affordable Unit exceeds the amount allowed by the rent and income restriction criteria, the next available comparable-sized and configured unit will be designated as a HOME Affordable Unit.

Tax Credit Funds | The Project’s finance includes the issuance of bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority in the amount of $38,656,130. The funds will be used to finance and refinance the acquisition, construction, development, and equipping of a 94-unit qualified residential rental project which guarantees that the income and rent will remain restricted for the period of 55 years.

Density Bonus Agreement | The Developer has proposed to construct and restrict the rent and occupancy of 69 residential dwelling units (“Affordable Units”) to very low-income households in exchange for a density bonus (“Density Bonus”) for 55 years. The Developer is receiving incentives and concessions pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Government Code 65915.

The incentives and concessions are:
1) To provide a five-foot exterior setback from the new lot line;
2) No private open space ;
3) No Balconies; and
4) Relief from unit storage requirements per NC Municipal Code 18.42.070.7

City Council Meeting Dates

 Construction started on the project on June 28, 2024.