Understanding what “affordable housing” means, where to find it, and how the city is addressing the challenge is crucial for residents and policymakers alike.   

How do you define “affordable housing”?   
 

Housing in San Diego is considered “affordable” when it doesn't cost more than 30% of a household’s gross annual income. This amount includes rent or mortgage, utilities, and insurance. As of 2024, the Area Median Income (AMI) for San Diego County is $119,500 for a family of four. The phrase “affordable housing” typically refers to housing that is required to keep rents affordable for individuals and families earning at or below 60% of the AMI. This is also known as “deed-restricted” affordable housing. Some housing, such as single-room-occupancy units, often are not required to limit the amount they charge for rent, but they still tend to be affordable for households with lower income. This is referred to as “naturally occurring affordable housing.” 

For a one-person household earning 60% of the AMI ($63,660 annually), the gross rent — or the total amount of money a tenant pays for a rental property plus any additional costs like utilities and property management fees — for deed-restricted housing is $1,592. For a two-person household earning 60% of the AMI ($72,720 annually), the gross rent at a deed-restricted unit would be $1,818. For a three-person household earning 60% of the AMI ($81,840 annually), the gross rent for a deed-restricted unit would be $2,046. And for a four-person household earning 60% of the AMI ($90,900 annually), the gross rent for a deed-restricted unit would be $2,273. These calculations are adjusted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and based on the guideline that affordable housing costs should not exceed 30% of a household's gross annual income.  

These guidelines ensure housing remains affordable and doesn’t consume an excessive portion of household income.  

Where can I find affordable housing in San Diego?   

You can find affordable housing across the county through several resources:  

• San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Affordable Housing: You may search and apply online for deed-restricted affordable housing that SDHC owns or manages by visiting https://rentals.sdhc.org/searchlisting.aspx 

• Affordable Housing Resource Guide: This guide, published annually by SDHC, provides listings of affordable housing complexes, eligibility requirements, and important contact information. Most apartment complexes have waiting lists, so it’s important to contact property managers directly for rental availability and specifics.  

• County map: There's also an interactive website and map where you can search for affordable housing developments built with the help of County funds.  

What is the City doing to help create and preserve more affordable housing?   
 

San Diego is actively addressing the housing crisis through several initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing availability. Here are just some of the policies and initiatives that are helping create more affordable housing across the city:  

• Streamlined Permitting: Policy reforms and efficient permitting management have reduced approval times, enabling affordable or transit-oriented housing projects to secure permits in 30 days or fewer. These policies have started to really pay off. In 2023, we permitted nearly 9,700 homes and about 8,800 in 2024. This compares to 4,300 annually, on average, over the prior 20 years. While we had hoped to keep this pace going, we anticipate a slowdown starting this year due to the tariffs and economic uncertainty around labor, availability of construction materials and federal tax policy — all of which are creating uncertainty and a likely slowdown in the development industry.  

• Bridge to Home Initiative: This innovative program provides crucial financial support for affordable housing construction. The City has invested $108 million into 24 projects, creating nearly 2,150 affordable apartments from Rancho Bernardo to San Ysidro since 2021.  

• SDHC Affordable Housing Initiatives: SDHC makes funding available and authorizes financing to support affordable housing development and preservation, owns affordable housing properties, and monitors many affordable housing properties to ensure they comply with affordability terms. More than 24,000 affordable housing units in the city have been created or preserved with SDHC’s participation. 

• Updated Community Plans: The City has updated community plans, significantly increasing housing capacity in neighborhoods across San Diego, making it easier and more efficient to develop much-needed affordable homes throughout San Diego.  

• Preservation Ordinance: The City has an affordable housing preservation ordinance, which aims to ensure that affordable housing units, particularly those for very-low, low, and moderate-income individuals, remain affordable, even if the property is sold.    

• Eviction Prevention Program: The city’s Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) helps renters with low income in San Diego who are facing eviction for not paying their rent. EPP is operated by Legal Aid Society of San Diego through a contract with SDHC. 

• Housing Instability Prevention Program: The City funds this SDHC program, which helps pay rent and other housing-related expenses for families in San Diego with low income, experiencing a housing crisis, and at risk of homelessness. 

Because of these initiatives, we are trending in the right direction when it comes to affordable housing, reflected by flattening rents and, in some  neighborhoods, rent reductions. But much more has to be done. We can't reverse decades of underbuilding housing overnight. My goal as mayor is to do everything I can now to ensure the momentum continues, helping future generations of San Diegans secure an affordable place to live.