The City of San Diego’s executive order to speed up the permitting process has led to permits being issued for 2,834 new homes, all aimed at expanding affordable housing options. Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized that these 27 projects are just the beginning, as the city continues to seek innovative ways to ensure affordable housing for all residents.
Under the executive order signed on January 11, 2023, all income-restricted affordable housing projects must be reviewed and processed within 30 days. This initiative, which has already seen developments in eight of the city’s nine council districts, is making a significant impact on the local housing market and contributing to lower rental costs, according to city officials.
In 2023, the number of permits for income-restricted homes in San Diego quadrupled, with 42% of them processed through this expedited program, averaging just seven days for approval. Additionally, a second executive order issued in January 2024 has further accelerated the approval of 10 projects near public transit, adding 625 more homes to the city’s affordable housing inventory.
