The landscape of downtown San Diego is noticeably transforming, thanks to a surge in housing development, a change largely credited to the city's efforts to streamline permits and expand construction incentives. Reflected through the boom of cranes and construction crews dotting the skyline, downtown's developments have brought about 1,900 new homes last year alone, "making it the strongest year for housing Downtown since 2021," as reported by the City of San Diego. This figure not only surpassed the tally of housing in 2023 but also added to the significant number of ongoing projects, promising another 1,696 homes once they reach completion.
Where new policies dovetail with concrete and glass, Mayor Todd Gloria's administration has played a pivotal role, with Gloria telling the City of San Diego that "San Diego has been a leader in advancing housing reforms that have resulted in thousands of new homes all across the City." The mayor's sentiment echoes the city's aggressive stance on policy innovation, particularly in downtown areas, which has led to more construction of both market-rate and affordable housing units there than in any other San Diego community over the past decade. Pro-housing policies integrated over the past four years have also made building easier by removing caps on density and height in the area.
Further insight from Brian Schoenfisch, Deputy Director of the Development Services Department’s Urban Innovation Division, has emphasized the necessity to "continue to innovate City policies to make it easier to build housing, employment opportunities and enhance public facilities in Downtown San Diego," as per the City of San Diego. These policies are a cornerstone for developing over 34,000 homes, out of which more than 5,700 have been designated as income-restricted affordable housing.
