Nearly 100 affordable homes will be built on a vacant lot in east Chula Vista.

While city officials have already approved the $38 million project at the southwest corner of Santa Victoria and Santa Diana roads in Otay Ranch, their latest move could be key to advancing the plan: Councilmembers earlier this month voted unanimously to begin the process of issuing as much as $25 million in tax-exempt bonds on behalf of the developer, Orange County-based Baldwin & Sons.

A spokesperson said the city is acting as what’s known as a “conduit issuer” — meaning the Housing Authority facilitates the financing but is ultimately not responsible for repayment.

Staff said in a report to councilmembers that the arrangement will allow the city “a greater ability to oversee ongoing compliance at the proje

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