San Diego, CA–The City of San Diego is seeking public input on nearly a dozen housing-related items as part of Mayor Todd Gloria’s “Homes for All of Us” proposal aimed at incentivizing and promoting new citywide housing opportunities that San Diegans of all income levels can afford.
This month, the city will hold public workshops on the proposal, which outlines 11 potential amendments and updates to City development regulations and property use to encourage the construction of more homes, focus development near transit hubs and create permanent housing affordability, among others. Workshops are being held via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 4, and Monday, Aug. 16.
“Last year, the City issued only three building permits for homes affordable to middle-income earners. We have to build more homes in San Diego that our residents can afford,” Mayor Gloria said. “Working together, my office and our Planning Department have created a lengthy list of ideas that will stimulate production of homes for lower- and middle-income residents. I encourage everyone to make their voices heard on this critical package of initiatives.”
“Everyone, no matter their income, background or age, deserves to have affordable and sustainable housing options available to them,” said Mike Hansen, the City’s Planning Director. “With San Diegans sharing their input on these ideas and working in collaboration with City staff, we believe it can happen.”
The Aug. 4 workshop will introduce and summarize the potential amendments and updates to attendees, and City staff will solicit public input on how best to improve and refine each item. Staff will then incorporate that feedback and provide proposals at the Aug.16 workshop on how to best implement those items into the city’s Municipal Code. The public can provide additional feedback in the second workshop, as well.
Once the workshops are concluded, the proposal will undergo review and approval through several council committees and is expected to go to City Council by the end of the year.
Potential amendment and update items include:
- Ensuring affordable housing in all communities: Update city codes to allow for more affordable homes in communities with little or no affordable housing that are close to job centers, quality schools, transit and parks.
- Initiating affordable housing protections: Permanently require the replacement of affordable housing when it is redeveloped into new housing units. This will minimize the displacement of existing residents when redevelopment occurs.
- Encouraging housing at underused commercial sites: Allow housing on vacant or underused commercial sites to increase housing supply. This includes mixed-use sites with business and housing options.
- Creating an employee housing incentive program: Allow businesses that are expanding their facilities to provide housing opportunities for San Diegans.
To learn more about all of the items in the “Homes for All of Us” proposal, register for the workshops, and submit your comments online, visit the Land Development Code Updates webpage.
