County Supervisors OK Plans To Expand Affordable Housing

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Wednesday for a set of policies intended to streamline affordable housing opportunities, including ones for senior citizens.

As directed by the board, the department of Planning and Development Services will begin work on the following four programs:

-- small-lot subdivision, to encourage the design and construction of smaller, single-family homes;
-- senior housing and assisted-living facilities that create incentives for developers while also incorporating accessible-design principles "to allow anyone to visit or live in homes comfortably, regardless of physical abilities," according to the county;
-- expanding by-right, as a way to streamline the approval process to include developments featuring least 20% affordable housing for low-income families and individuals; and
-- allowing the sale of accessory dwelling units separate from the primary home on a property.

The county will also immediately make some surplus land available for development.

Over the next 18 to 36 months -- depending on environmental analysis -- the county will expand the small-lot subdivision program, streamline environmental reviews for individual projects and create additional zoning standards for senior housing and assisted living facilities, according to officials.

County goals for the 2026-27 fiscal year include expanding a density- bonus program for senior housing and universal design projects, and creating an ordinance allowing for the sale of ADUs, officials said.

Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas said it was important to build homes for all income levels.
Supervisor Joel Anderson was the lone no vote on Wednesday's proposal, but didn't say why he was opposed.

During a public comment period, Sean Kilkenny of Nolen Communities urged the county to begin the programs "so (developers) can start building more housing in San Diego."

A woman who called in said the new policies represented a path to home ownership for people like her.

"Owning a home and land gave me a foundation and a future," she added.

— City News Service