San Diego makes $15M available for affordable housing projects

The city of San Diego is making $15 million available to help finance new affordable housing developments through the eighth round of Mayor Todd Gloria's "Bridge to Home" program.

Since the program launched in 2021, Bridge to Home has helped advance 2,969 affordable homes across 30 projects, city officials said.

"Bridge to Home is doing exactly what we created it to do: turn housing plans into homes San Diegans can afford," Gloria said in a statement. "Funding for nearly 3,000 affordable homes has been secured through this program, and this next $15 million investment will help us keep that progress going."

The city issued a notice of funding availability this week, inviting qualified developers to apply for the latest round. Bridge to Home financing is designed to close funding gaps that otherwise could prevent affordable housing projects from moving forward. Recommended projects will be presented to San Diego City Council for approval.

Of the $15 million available, $10 million comes from former redevelopment funds restricted to creating new housing, including site improvements and construction.

The remaining $5 million comes from the state's Permanent Local Housing Allocation program. The money can be used to construct, acquire or rehabilitate housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and households earning less than 30% of the area median income.

For a family of four, that income limit is $52,450 or less.

Applications will be evaluated based on several factors, including project feasibility and community benefits. Projects that include on-site child care, are located in state-designated "moderate to highest resource areas" or partner with emerging developers may receive additional points.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 19.

"Five years into this program, we are proud to continue bringing new affordable homes to San Diegans faster and strengthening our communities," Christina Bibler, the city's economic development director, said in a statement. "Each round of funding reflects our commitment to ensuring that all San Diegans have access to the housing opportunities they deserve."

Eight of the 30 Bridge to Home projects have been completed, producing 676 affordable homes. Of those, 156 include supportive services and are reserved for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Completed projects include Jacaranda on 9th in downtown San Diego; The Iris at San Ysidro; Ventana al Sur in San Ysidro; Serenade on 43rd and Cuatro at City Heights in City Heights; PATH Villas El Cerrito in El Cerrito; SkyLINE in Rancho Bernardo; and The Teralta in City Heights.

Another 17 projects are under construction or have received city council approval for Bridge to Home funding.

The city said 24 Bridge to Home projects also have benefited from its Affordable Housing Permit Now program, which was created through a 2023 executive order by Gloria. The program directs the city's development services department to review applications for 100% affordable housing and shelter projects within 30 days or less.

Since its launch, the permit now program has helped permit 7,481 affordable homes citywide, with an average staff review time of nine days, according to the city. Of those homes, 2,202 are part of the Bridge to Home program.

In June, the city recommended another $16.5 million in Bridge to Home funding for three developments totaling 430 affordable homes in Hillcrest and City Heights. The projects include deeply subsidized housing for seniors and families earning 30% to 60% of the area median income, as well as workforce housing for San Diego Unified School District educators.

Those projects include accessibility-focused designs, community amenities, rehabilitated educational space, cultural and nonprofit facilities, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

Funding for those three projects, along with two previously selected projects, is expected to go before the city council for individual approval in the coming months.