SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – A new round of funding from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the San Diego Foundation is set to kickstart 10 affordable housing projects across the county, offering relief to residents burdened by soaring housing costs.
A total of $14 million in grant funding has been awarded to developers throughout the region, with projects stretching from Escondido in the north to San Ysidro in the south. The developments are designed to serve a wide population, including low-income families, single mothers, veterans, and at-risk seniors, according to FOX 5/KUSI.
Flagship Project Focuses on Refugee and Immigrant Families
One of the cornerstone projects will rise along University Avenue, where an old liquor store and two office buildings will be redeveloped into a 150-unit apartment complex by 2030. The development is being led by the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA).
“This is a place where people have been resettled as refugees since the 1970s, so it’s really important for us to center that within the project,” said Rachel Lozano Castro, director of strategic partnerships at PANA.
The community-informed project design includes:
- Four floors of three- and four-bedroom affordable units
- An international market selling goods like tea and coffee
- An on-site clinic and childcare facility
- Nonprofit office spaces
- Direct access to a city park slated to be completed at the same time
Castro noted the project was designed using input from over 2,000 residents, gathered through listening sessions and community feedback. PANA is also offering residents the opportunity to buy ownership shares in the development — though the organization still needs an additional $54 million to fully fund the build.
Housing Shortfall, Price Surge Highlight Urgency
According to James Howell, CFO of the San Diego Foundation, the region faces a massive shortfall of 134,000 affordable units.
“Prices are up about 42% since 2020,” Howell said, adding that the 10 new projects will add 966 affordable housing units to the market between December 2026 and June 2030.
Of those, 660 units are expected to become available as early as 2027.
“These projects are about more than just housing,” Howell said. “They’re about building communities.”
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