San Diego, January 27, 2026
San Diego is making significant progress in addressing affordable housing challenges through new projects and policy initiatives. Recent openings include The Iris, a 100-unit community in San Ysidro, and Harrington Heights, a 15-story development in East Village. Legislative efforts, like Assembly Bill 253, aim to streamline the building permit process, while the city tackles ongoing affordability challenges within a high-cost housing market. Future initiatives will continue to seek solutions for increasing affordable housing availability.
San Diego’s Affordable Housing Initiatives: Recent Developments and Future Prospects
San Diego, California – In recent months, San Diego has made significant strides in addressing its affordable housing challenges through various initiatives and developments.
New Affordable Housing Projects
In December 2025, the city celebrated the grand opening of The Iris, a 100-unit affordable housing community in San Ysidro. This development offers 42 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom, and 25 three-bedroom apartments for low-income families and individuals. The project includes 15 permanent supportive housing units for people who have experienced homelessness and 50 apartments designed to support residents with mobility challenges. All units are required to remain affordable for 55 years for households with income up to 60% of San Diego’s Area Median Income. The development was a collaborative effort between National CORE, the San Diego Housing Commission, the county, and the city of San Diego.
Similarly, in October 2025, Harrington Heights, a 15-story affordable housing development in East Village, opened its doors. The building comprises 270 units, with rents set to remain affordable for at least 55 years for households earning 25%-50% of San Diego’s Area Median Income. Additionally, 40 apartments are designated for individuals with developmental disabilities. The project was developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation, with support from the city of San Diego and the San Diego Housing Commission.
Policy and Legislative Actions
In September 2025, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 253, known as the California Residential Private Permitting Review Act. This bill aims to streamline the residential building permit process by allowing applicants to hire private professional providers to perform plan checks. If local building departments cannot complete the review within 30 business days, private professionals can be licensed to perform the review, with cities and counties authorizing final approval. The bill is expected to be approved by Governor Gavin Newsom and is intended to expedite new housing developments to address California’s housing crisis.
Housing Affordability Challenges
Despite these efforts, housing affordability remains a pressing issue in San Diego. As of November 2024, the median home price in San Diego County was $1.01 million, requiring a minimum annual income of $253,600 to afford the monthly payments. This means that only about 12% of county residents can afford a median-priced home.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, San Diego continues to explore and implement strategies to increase the availability of affordable housing. Ongoing legislative efforts, such as the proposed exemption of urban housing projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), aim to expedite construction and reduce costs. However, balancing development with environmental considerations remains a complex challenge.
In summary, while San Diego has made notable progress in developing affordable housing and enacting supportive policies, the city faces ongoing challenges in ensuring housing affordability for all residents. Continued collaboration between government entities, developers, and the community will be essential in addressing these challenges moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is The Iris in San Ysidro?
The Iris is a 100-unit affordable housing community in San Ysidro, offering one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for low-income families and individuals. It includes units for individuals who have experienced homelessness and those with mobility challenges. All units are required to remain affordable for 55 years for households with income up to 60% of San Diego’s Area Median Income.
What is Assembly Bill 253?
Assembly Bill 253, known as the California Residential Private Permitting Review Act, aims to streamline the residential building permit process by allowing applicants to hire private professional providers to perform plan checks. If local building departments cannot complete the review within 30 business days, private professionals can be licensed to perform the review, with cities and counties authorizing final approval. The bill is expected to be approved by Governor Gavin Newsom and is intended to expedite new housing developments to address California’s housing crisis.
What is the median home price in San Diego County?
As of November 2024, the median home price in San Diego County was $1.01 million, requiring a minimum annual income of $253,600 to afford the monthly payments. This means that only about 12% of county residents can afford a median-priced home.
What is the proposed exemption of urban housing projects from CEQA?
The proposed exemption of urban housing projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) aims to expedite construction and reduce costs by allowing certain housing projects in urban areas to proceed without the usual environmental reviews required by CEQA. This proposal is part of ongoing legislative efforts to address California’s housing crisis.
Key Features of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Initiatives
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| The Iris | A 100-unit affordable housing community in San Ysidro, offering one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for low-income families and individuals. Includes units for individuals who have experienced homelessness and those with mobility challenges. All units are required to remain affordable for 55 years for households with income up to 60% of San Diego’s Area Median Income. |
| Harrington Heights | A 15-story affordable housing development in East Village, comprising 270 units with rents set to remain affordable for at least 55 years for households earning 25%-50% of San Diego’s Area Median Income. Includes 40 apartments designated for individuals with developmental disabilities. |
| Assembly Bill 253 | A bill aiming to streamline the residential building permit process by allowing applicants to hire private professional providers to perform plan checks. If local building departments cannot complete the review within 30 business days, private professionals can be licensed to perform the review, with cities and counties authorizing final approval. The bill is expected to be approved by Governor Gavin Newsom and is intended to expedite new housing developments to address California’s housing crisis. |
| Median Home Price | As of November 2024, the median home price in San Diego County was $1.01 million, requiring a minimum annual income of $253,600 to afford the monthly payments. This means that only about 12% of county residents can afford a median-priced home. |
| Proposed CEQA Exemption | The proposed exemption of urban housing projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) aims to expedite construction and reduce costs by allowing certain housing projects in urban areas to proceed without the usual environmental reviews required by CEQA. This proposal is part of ongoing legislative efforts to address California’s housing crisis. |
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