Celebrating 35 Years of Policy Wins and Leadership
As the San Diego Housing Federation celebrates its 35th Anniversary, it's essential to recognize the significant policy victories we've championed, supported, defended, and achieved over the years. Our very formation in 1990 established a crucial foundation, creating—for the first time—a unified voice for affordable housing in San Diego. What began as informal discussions has evolved into a fully functioning 501(c)(3) organization, a testament to the power of collective action.
Several key achievements stand out as hallmarks of the Federation's impact. In 2003, the San Diego City Council, with the staunch support of the Federation and the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), established Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning. This groundbreaking policy requires developers to designate a percentage of units in new developments as affordable housing, significantly expanding access for low-income residents.
The creation of the Housing Trust Fund represents another major victory, with SDHF playing a leading role in its establishment. This instrumental achievement created a dedicated funding pool for the construction and preservation of affordable housing. This has led to greater impact on new construction, rehabilitation projects, critical repairs, and efforts to prevent homelessness and displacement.
At the state level, our unwavering commitment to the Surplus Lands Act deserves special mention. We were deeply involved in crafting the original legislation and have steadfastly defended its original intent, ensuring that surplus public land is prioritized for affordable housing development.
We also proudly stood behind then-Assemblymember Toni Atkins to support Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), a landmark piece of legislation that established a permanent funding source for affordable housing in California. This funding, derived from a $75 recording fee on real estate documents, is distributed to local governments through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program.
Finally, while Measure A did not achieve the required two-thirds majority for passage, we are proud that six San Diego City Council members voted to place it on the ballot. This measure, focused on creating a $950 million fund for Affordable and Permanent Supportive Housing, deepened our coalition partnerships and spurred the creation of our thriving Affordable Housing Management Academy (AHMA). This program is a testament to our commitment to developing a community-based skilled workforce for the affordable housing sector.
Join Us in Building the Future
As we reflect on these accomplishments and look toward the future, we recognize that our work is far from over. The need for safe, affordable housing in San Diego remains critical, and we must continue to advocate for policies and programs that address this fundamental human right.
To ensure we can continue this vital work, we invite you to join us in our mission. Your generous donation will directly support our advocacy efforts, our vital training programs like the Affordable Housing Management Academy, and our ongoing work to create a more equitable housing landscape for all San Diegans. Your donation as low as $50 can show your support to our policy initiatives. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word about our work, your support is invaluable.
Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has a place to call home. Please consider making a gift today and becoming a part of the San Diego Housing Federation's ongoing commitment to affordable housing.