31 units at San Diego Mission Valley complex remain uninhabitable two weeks after fire
Residents of Valley Vista apartments are staying in a temporary motel while the San Diego Housing Commission assesses water damage from a sprinkler system that activated on Oct. 11.
By Tyler Khalil ·
The San Diego Housing Commission is managing the aftermath of a fire at the Valley Vista affordable housing complex in Mission Valley. The incident has displaced residents who are currently living in temporary accommodations while officials determine when they can return to their units.
On Oct. 11, a fire broke out on the fourth floor of the building. The sprinkler system automatically activated to contain the flames. The resulting water damage affected 31 of the 32 units in the building. The Housing Commission confirmed this count to ABC 10News. The agency stated that the water damage, rather than the fire itself, is the primary factor delaying repairs.
Marcie Pacheco, a resident of the Valley Vista complex, is staying at a motel off Interstate 805 in the Clairemont neighborhood. She has been living in the temporary facility for more than two weeks. Pacheco, who spent five years experiencing homelessness, described the current situation as a disruption to the stability she has recently regained. She expressed frustration over the lack of direct updates from the housing authority regarding the status of her personal property and the repair schedule.
Lisa Jones, the president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Housing Commission, addressed the concerns raised by the residents. Jones stated that the commission has informed residents that their belongings will not be disposed of. She explained that the agency has not yet established a definitive timeline for repairs. Jones estimated that the remediation process will take three to four weeks. She noted that the specific duration for each unit depends on the extent of the individual water damage.
The housing authority is providing impacted residents with a 24-hour services line and regular food deliveries during their displacement. Jones acknowledged that residents are experiencing anxiety about their return. She explained that the communication channels are active, but the primary message being delivered is that many residents cannot yet move back into their apartments.
Pacheco said she hopes to return to her apartment soon. She indicated that more frequent communication from the housing commission would help reduce the uncertainty for the displaced residents.
