Housing Affordability
The Housing Affordability Working Group meets every other month to discuss ongoing initiatives and review community needs. Dedicated to expanding affordable housing opportunities for Promise Zone residents, this group collaborates with stakeholders to address housing challenges and create pathways to accessible, affordable options for Promise Zone residents.
Resources
More Resources
- First-Time Buyer Assistance
- Eviction Prevention
- Utility and Home Energy Assistance
- Homelessness Prevention
- Homelessness Programs and Services
- Affordable Housing
Impact
Housing Affordability Working Group Hosts Cooperative Convening
May 2024 - In collaboration with the Economic Activity working group, the Housing Affordability working group hosted a Cooperative Convening, or Co-op 101, on May 7, 2024. This was an opportunity for folks in the community to begin learning about worker, food, and housing co-ops as well as community land trusts. 48 community members plus the Promise Zone team attended.
Progress in Affordable Housing Development
2024 - The San Diego Housing Commission reported this year that prior to 2016, there were 37 existing affordable housing properties (2,324 units) in the Promise Zone, and 25 new properties (1,050 units) have been created in the Promise Zone, totaling over 3,000 affordable housing units. Additionally, of 720 total first-time home-buyers that the San Diego Housing Commission has assisted since 2016, 50 of them have been in the Promise Zone.
Promise Zone Presents to City-County Reinvestment Task Force
September 2024 - The Promise Zone was asked to present to the City-County Reinvestment Task Force, co-chaired by City President Elo-Rivera and County Supervisor Montgomery Steppe, on Sept. 5, 2024. The presentation included an overview of the San Diego Promise Zone as well as specifics related to Housing Affordability and Economic Activity. Our partners at the San Diego Housing Commission and California Coast Credit Union presented with us.
The City of San Diego Receives its Promise Zone Designation in June 2016
June 2016 - The San Diego City Council officially ratified the Promise Zone designation agreement, approving a 10-year designation ordinance to formalize long-term investment and collaboration. The same month, California Volunteers awarded a planning grant to the City to support the hiring of a planning and implementation consultant, who will work closely with the five Promise Zone Working Groups to develop the San Diego Promise Zone Plan.
Expedited Permitting for ADUs in the Promise Zone
2017 - The San Diego City Council passed legislation to streamline the permitting process for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in certain cases, with one qualifying factor being inclusion in the San Diego Promise Zone.
Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) Secures $7.9 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness
2018 - Through support and its partnership with the San Diego Promise Zone, San Diego RTFH secured the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grant, totaling over $7.9 million. RTFH expressed strong interest in collaborating with SDPZ partners to support essential homeless services. A primary focus moving into 2019 is ensuring a portion of these funds is effectively utilized within the Promise Zone to address youth homelessness.
Promise Zone Responds to Housing Insecurity Amid COVID-19
2020 - As residents faced housing insecurity due to sudden job loss, the Housing Affordability Working Group quickly shifted its focus to identifying and promoting the City of San Diego’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered by the San Diego Housing Commission. This emergency initiative provided one-time payments of up to $4,000 per qualifying low-income household to help cover past-due or upcoming rent, offering vital relief to families impacted by the pandemic.
Town Hall Drives Action on Homelessness and Affordable Housing
2021 - The Housing Affordability Working Group hosted a town hall, open to all working groups, focused on homelessness intervention, prevention, and affordable housing. A panel of experts provided insights on policy interventions, best practices, and data tracking methods, while dashboards on homelessness, affordable housing resources, and investment performance were shared with community members and partners. The event also highlighted the City of San Diego’s $89 million Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA) to address housing affordability. Five of the seven recommended projects are located within the Promise Zone, Opportunity Zone, or Low-Moderate Income Census tracts, with plans to seek Council approval in 2022.
Expanding Affordable Housing with Bridge to Home Funding
August 2023 - The City of San Diego opened applications for Round 3 of the Bridge to Home NOFA, a funding initiative incentivizing housing developments that incorporate on-site childcare and provide housing for individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The NOFA aimed to preserve affordable housing at or above 80% AMI and promote development in high-resource and transit-accessible areas. Over $20 million was made available, with applications closing in early October 2023.
C4GS Develops Sustainable Housing in the Promise Zone
2023 - Promise Zone partner Communities for Global Sustainability (C4GS) was developing a climate-resilient, mixed-use housing facility in the Promise Zone set to be 94% off-grid, emissions-free, and climate resilient. The project planned to feature communal gardens, green rooftops, EV charging stations, and workforce development programs focused on sustainable construction. C4GS was in the land acquisition phase and identified Mt. Hope in the Promise Zone as the intended development site.
Connecting Residents to Housing Resources Through Community Outreach
2023 - The Housing Affordability Working Group collaborated with multiple partners to produce a housing trifold brochure linking residents to essential resources such as rental assistance and legal support. The San Diego Housing Commission printed 1,000 copies for distribution across the Promise Zone. Additionally, the Housing Commission provided a presentation and training to the working group sharing housing-related data, equipping community-based organizations and grant writers with critical insights to address housing insecurity.
Strengthening Working Group Operations for Long-Term Impact
2023 - The Housing Affordability Working Group received 40 hours of technical assistance from consulting firm ICF, facilitated by HUD, to align operations with the 2026 Promise Zone designation expiration. The assistance focused on goal setting, tactical planning, data-driven processes, and capacity building. As a result, SDPZ implemented logic models, engagement strategies, and improved meeting facilitation across working groups.
Meetings
Housing Affordability Working Group Meeting
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Join us to discuss ongoing initiatives, set new objectives, and collaborate on projects within the Promise Zone. Open to residents, community advocates, and partner organizations.
Meeting Minutes
- 2025-01-08 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2024-10-31 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2024-09-05 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2024-04-24 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2024-03-27 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2024-02-28 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2024-01-24 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2023-11-09 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2023-09-14 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2023-08-24 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
- 2023-04-26 Housing Affordability/ Jobs and Education Meeting Minutes
- 2023-01-12 Housing Affordability Meeting Minutes
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