News Summary
San Diego has introduced 560 new affordable housing units to combat its homelessness crisis. The units include support for individuals with developmental disabilities and veterans. Key locations include downtown and Clairemont Mesa. Despite positive developments, concerns about federal funding cuts persist as homelessness continues to rise.
San Diego has recently opened a total of 560 affordable housing units as the city grapples with a growing homelessness crisis. These units are spread across various locations, including downtown San Diego, the Clairemont Mesa neighborhood, and the Midway District. Some of these apartments are specifically designated for individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and young adults.
A significant portion of the new housing is found at Harrington Heights in downtown San Diego, which features 270 apartments within a 15-story building. This development is particularly aimed at residents with “extremely low income,” including those who have previously experienced homelessness. Households seeking to reside in these units must earn between 25% to 50% of San Diego’s Area Median Income, roughly translating to $37,200 to $74,450 for a three-person household. The affordability of these units will be sustained for at least 55 years.
Among these, 40 apartments are specifically allocated for residents with developmental disabilities. Residents will also have access to on-site supportive services provided by the nonprofit Alpha Project, which will include amenities like free haircuts and support for emotional support animals. The initiative was spearheaded by the Chelsea Investment Corporation, with funding sourced from local, state, and federal programs. The project’s affordability also relies on rental assistance vouchers from the housing commission and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (VASH).
Despite the positive strides, policymakers are expressing concerns regarding potential federal funding cuts that could jeopardize the availability of voucher programs. This is particularly pressing as September saw over 1,100 new instances of homelessness in San Diego County, while only 1,032 individuals were housed in the same timeframe. The housing initiative aims to combat the ongoing rise in homelessness, which has worsened over eight of the last nine months.
The Mt. Etna Campus in Clairemont Mesa has introduced two new building towers with a total of 228 rental apartments. More than 70 of these units are classified as permanent supportive housing, tailored for residents requiring ongoing services. This development occupies the site of a former sheriff’s crime lab and also received backing from the Chelsea Investment Corporation along with various government funding sources. A fourth building is anticipated to open for low-income families early next year at the Mt. Etna site.
Additionally, the Pacific Village in the Midway District has been transformed from a hotel into 62 studio apartments, with 15 units specifically designated for homeless veterans. This project was similarly funded through collaboration between various governmental levels, including county resources allocated for behavioral health services.
In its ongoing efforts to address the homelessness crisis, San Diego County recently proposed that tiny homes on wheels may now be classified as standalone housing in unincorporated communities. Also, it was noted in previous reports that the Mt. Etna development had been incorrectly referred to as “Mt. Edna,” which has since been corrected.
With these new developments, San Diego plans to make significant strides in alleviating the homelessness crisis while maintaining a focus on the affordable housing sector, reinforcing community stability amidst ongoing challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Diego County’s Luxury Real Estate Rankings Drop
California Court Overturns Height Limit Ruling in San Diego
San Diego Transit Hub Overhaul Aims to Address Housing Crisis
Shea Homes Recognized as Builder of the Year
California Surpasses Japan to Become World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
San Diego City Council Alters ADU Policy Amid Backlash
San Diego Vacation Home Tax Proposal Generates Debate
Governor Newsom Signs Significant Housing Bill in California
San Diego Home Prices Decline for Third Month
Federal Government Shutdown Impacts San Diego Workforce
Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: 3 Massive Affordable Housing Complexes Open
- Wikipedia: Affordable housing
- MSN: Casa Familiar Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Project
- Google Search: Affordable housing San Diego
- NBC San Diego: Clairemont Affordable Housing Developments
- Google Scholar: Affordable housing San Diego
- CBS 8: Affordable Housing Projects Move Forward in San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
