San Diego County is making significant strides in meeting housing development goals mandated by the state, according to a report presented to the county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.
The Board unanimously voted to formally accept the report, which Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer hailed as an indication of ongoing progress in housing development.
The report reveals that 84% of the state-mandated housing goal has already been achieved, with just four years into the current eight-year cycle.
According to the county’s 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report, a total of 5,645 housing units have received permits, contributing towards a target of 6,700 units.
Furthermore, an additional 4,500 homes are currently progressing through the development pipeline.
At this pace, county officials project that by 2029 the county will exceed its housing goal by more than 4,500 homes.
This achievement would provide opportunities for thousands of families, young professionals, and essential workers to afford living in San Diego County.
Lawson-Remer’s office noted a remarkable 500% increase in affordable housing development, highlighting a fivefold growth in county-funded affordable housing production since 2021.
Additionally, the county has significantly accelerated the approvals for housing projects in the last four years.
Housing affordability has been a pressing issue reported by San Diego’s elected leaders in recent years, especially as the median price for homes in the county exceeds $900,000.
Many younger workers find themselves compelled to seek housing outside of San Diego, such as Riverside County, due to high living costs.
To address the housing crisis, the county has implemented various policies aimed at streamlining the development processes.
These initiatives include a 30-day guaranteed review period for plans related to affordable, workforce, and smart-growth projects.
The county has introduced a new checklist designed to ensure that projects on designated housing element sites can advance without unnecessary delays.
Additionally, there are expanded resources available for accessory dwelling units, lot splits, and small-site development projects.
Lawson-Remer expressed pride in the county’s achievement of its housing goals, stating that it would lead to thousands more families being able to remain in the regions they cherish.
The Supervisor emphasized that more educators, healthcare workers, and emergency responders would have the opportunity to live closer to the communities they serve and that fewer San Diegans would be forced out due to escalating rents.
Rami Talleh of the county Planning and Development Services provided further insights during the board meeting, mentioning the county’s improvements in housing development, but noted the ongoing challenges in achieving low-income housing targets.
Last year, 954 new homes became available in the unincorporated areas, but several factors continue to hinder housing development, including interest rates, litigation, material and labor costs, fire-related risks, and residual effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Challenges also arise from state legislation concerning vehicle miles traveled and its implications for housing projects in unincorporated regions of the county.
Supervisor Jim Desmond acknowledged the positive aspects of the report but maintained that the situation remains a mixed bag, indicating a lack of progress due to continual high prices driving residents out of California.
Desmond underscored the need for more single-family housing and suggested the county should incentivize development in unincorporated areas.
In contrast, Lawson-Remer expressed concern about potential shortfalls in achieving targets for moderate- to very low-income housing and advocated for efforts to unlock development for such projects.
She mentioned the San Diego Unified School District’s initiative to create housing specifically for teachers and school staff as an example of innovative thinking that the Board of Supervisors might adopt.
Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe reiterated that affordable housing is a top priority and proposed exploring community land trusts or philanthropic partnerships as viable avenues for further development.
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