This article emphasizes the urgent need to preserve existing affordable housing in San Diego as new construction struggles to keep pace with the growing demand. Budget constraints, dwindling federal funding, and the increasing cost of rental assistance exacerbate the challenge. The article highlights the San Diego Housing Commission's efforts to protect existing affordable units and calls for a collaborative approach involving government, philanthropy, and community partners.
From young adults embarking on their independent lives to families with children completing homework at the kitchen table, and from older adults on fixed incomes, the need for affordable housing is paramount. However, in San Diego's competitive housing market, many families face undue stress, anxiety, and instability as a disproportionate amount of their monthly income is consumed by housing costs.
While new construction endeavors are crucial, they alone cannot keep pace with the escalating demand for affordable homes. Budget constraints further impede resources allocated to new development, underscoring the necessity of prioritizing the preservation of existing affordable housing stock. A recent study revealed that without intervention, 35% of newly constructed units will simply replace those that have lost their affordability. Over the next three years, 590 units are at risk of transitioning from affordable to market-rate, and the projection for the next two decades is even more alarming, with an estimated 13,000 units potentially becoming unaffordable by 2040. This includes 4,200 units with affordability restrictions and 9,250 naturally occurring affordable housing units. The looming budget crisis exacerbates the challenges associated with new construction. For instance, the Housing Commission has been instrumental in awarding project-based vouchers to stimulate the development of affordable housing for low-income families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The Commission remains committed to providing rental assistance through existing housing vouchers in the city of San Diego. However, anticipated reductions in federal funding, coupled with state and local government budget shortfalls and rising average rent subsidy costs, leave the Commission with no alternative but to curtail its efforts in this area. The imperative to preserve San Diego's existing affordable housing becomes increasingly urgent in light of the growing need and dwindling resources for new construction. In 2020, a preservation study conducted by the Commission led to the City Council's approval of seven actions to implement a comprehensive affordable housing preservation strategy. This includes the development of a proposed ordinance that will be presented to the council in the near future, aimed at encouraging the preservation of deed-restricted affordable rental housing units. Addressing the affordable housing crisis requires a collaborative approach. Recognizing that government resources alone are insufficient, the involvement of philanthropic organizations is essential. A dedicated fund, combining public and private resources, could emerge as a powerful tool to safeguard housing affordability throughout San Diego. Preserving quality affordable housing is fundamental to mitigating the city's housing challenges. The Commission remains dedicated to working in partnership with city leaders and community stakeholders to identify effective preservation strategies and implement them efficiently
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION SAN DIEGO HOUSING CRISIS BUDGET CONSTRAINTS FEDERAL FUNDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
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