SAN DIEGO (KGTV/CNS) - Regulations to help increase housing for San Diego’s middle-income earners were discussed Monday by a City Council committee.
As part of an effort to ease the city’s affordable housing crisis, the Smart Growth and Land Use Committee is considering amending building codes and adjusting regulations that would lead to incentives for homebuilders to develop housing earmarked for residents in the middle-income range.
Middle-income households are those whose income is between 120 to 150 percent of the area median income of $63,400.
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Some proposed incentives and waivers include allowing 25 percent more density on a site if a developer designates 10 percent of the units for middle-income housing.
San Diego Building Industry Association Vice President Matthew Adams said it would start to close the gap for a population that isn't underserved; he believes it currently isn't served at all.
The regulations would be instituted as code amendments. They're part of Mayor Kevin Faulconer's Housing SD plan, which is intended to improve housing affordability, improve review processes and facilitate the creation of more affordable housing.
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Over the past decade, housing development hasn't kept up with job or population growth, according to the city. San Diego County median home purchase prices exceed $500,000 and an average home rental price exceeds $1,800 per month.
Proposed Housing SD regulations were developed with a working group consisting of representatives from the San Diego Housing Federation, the San Diego Housing Commission, the Building Industry Association, Circulate San Diego, as well as developers and architects who have constructed affordable housing.
If the middle-income housing proposal is passed, it will be sent to the full City Council for consideration.
