San Diego County Approves New Inclusionary Housing Mandates

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a new inclusionary housing policy in a 4-1 vote Wednesday, requiring new developments of 10 or more units in unincorporated areas to set aside 5% of units for low-income residents, according to county officials.

What are the new affordable housing requirements?

Under the new rules, projects featuring for-sale and rental units must reserve 5% of those units for households earning 50% or less of the area median income, which is approximately $88,000 for a family of four. These mandates apply specifically to unincorporated areas where the county controls zoning, including Valley Center, Lakeside, Spring Valley, and Buena Creek.

Developers have alternatives to building these units on-site. According to the policy, they may instead donate land to the county or pay a fee to comply with the requirements.

Why did the county delay these mandates?

Supervisors first called for these mandates five years ago, but the process was slowed by the complexity of the rules and a desire to study additional housing regulations. Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe told the board prior to the vote that she was “not proud” of the delay, describing the ordinance as a tool to reduce economic and social housing discrimination.

Housing advocates criticized the timeline during Wednesday’s meeting. Mohamed Omar of the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans stated that delaying the action harmed very-low income households who serve as the “backbone” of the economy.

How does this affect San Diego County’s housing goals?

The county has already met state-mandated goals for most income levels, permitting about 6,600 units for low, moderate, and above-moderate incomes this decade. However, progress for the lowest earners has lagged. Between 2021 and 2029, the county must permit 1,800 units for those making less than 50% of the area median income, but has issued only 500 permits to date, or 28% of its goal.

County planning officials estimate the new rules could generate dozens of income-restricted units annually. Rami Talleh, the county’s deputy director of planning and development, told supervisors that while the ordinance is a helpful tool, it will not alone close the very-low income housing gap.

What challenges exist for unincorporated communities?

Bringing new housing to far-flung unincorporated areas is difficult because much of the land is at very high risk for wildfires. These areas also lack the reliable public transit typically required by government planners for concentrated housing production.

County data shows homebuilding in these areas has slowed compared to the rest of the western United States. However, the county has still met some goals through accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Of the 932 housing units permitted last year, 403 were ADUs, accounting for 43% of total permits.

Nicole Lillie, executive director of Our Time to Act, argued that these areas specifically need inclusionary housing because production is limited and supply is scarce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which housing projects must follow these new rules?
The rules apply to new housing projects with at least 10 units located in the county’s unincorporated areas.

What is the income limit for the affordable units?
Units must be reserved for people making 50% or less of the area median income, which is roughly $88,000 for a family of four.

How much has the county invested in affordable housing since 2017?
The county has invested $334 million directly in affordable housing projects, resulting in more than 3,000 units coming online.

How do you think these mandates will affect housing availability in unincorporated communities?