The State of California has awarded a $32.4 million Homekey+ funds grant to the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) in an ongoing effort to tackle homelessness in the city. In tandem with local government entities, these funds will transform an existing short-term rental property into affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Per a news release by the SDHC, the single-room occupancy property known as Starling Place will become home to 80 affordable rental apartments. Located at 7798 Starling Drive, in City Council District 7, the project aims to provide housing for veterans and individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges. The collaborative venture underscores a growing determination to address San Diego's housing crisis with the County and City chipping in, boasting $11.5 million and $12.5 million toward the project.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the grant's impact, saying, "This $32.4 million grant from the state will help us move veterans and people experiencing mental illness off the streets and into safe, stable homes — creating the foundation for recovery, stability, and a better life," according to the San Diego Housing Commission. The the property's transformation is expected to split between 40 units for veterans and another 40 for at-risk individuals, exposing the city's commitment to diverse populations in need.
Reinforcing the spirit of collaborative groundwork, City Councilmember Raul Campillo, whose district includes Starling Place, highlighted the project's significance. "Starling Place delivers the exact type of housing San Diego needs most: affordable homes for veterans and others experiencing or at risk of homelessness, paired with supportive services to help them stay housed," Campillo told the SDHC. To support the veterans, SDHC has secured 40 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Project-Based Vouchers to help cover the rent costs, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System offering supportive services.
The County will contribute with its checkbook, including $5.5 million for operating expenses, and hands-on support for non-veteran households. "Our region is making meaningful progress on affordable housing solutions that reach our most vulnerable residents," County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe is quoted as saying, per the San Diego Housing Commission. The funds for Homekey+ were authorized by voters in March 2024, tapping into the voter-approved Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act, part of Proposition 1.
