Mission Valley residents stranded in motels after fire, as repair timeline remains unclear
The San Diego Housing Commission estimates repairs will take three to four weeks, leaving 31 tenants to wait without confirmed return dates.
By Julia Novak ·
Thirty-one residents of Valley Vista in Mission Valley remain displaced more than two weeks after a fire on the fourth floor of their building triggered a widespread sprinkler response.
The incident occurred on Oct. 11, damaging units below the fire and forcing tenants to find temporary housing. Marcie Pacheco, a resident who experienced homelessness for five years before moving into the complex, is currently staying at a motel off Interstate 805 in Clairemont.
Pacheco cited a lack of updates from the San Diego Housing Commission as a primary source of frustration for the displaced group. "We have zero communication as what's going on with any of our belongings, anything that's going on with the fire repairs," she said.
Lisa Jones, the commission's president and CEO, addressed the concerns by confirming that no resident property has been discarded. "We've made it clear to residents that none of their belongings are going anywhere," Jones said.
Jones stated that the agency has not set firm timelines for every unit because the extent of water damage varies. "We're thinking about 3 to 4 weeks. It's going to depend on the unit. Some units may have more damage than others, so it's hard to give folks a timeline while we go through remediation," she explained.
To support tenants during the repair process, the commission is providing a 24-hour service line and food deliveries. Jones acknowledged the anxiety among residents while noting that the frequency of updates may not match the frequency tenants desire.
Pacheco expressed a desire for a healthier living environment and better information flow. "I think more communication would help that a lot," she said.
