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.