Diverse Leaders and Innovative Solutions: Tackling San Diego’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Housing affordability continues to impact California’s most vulnerable. The scarcity of available housing options and soaring rents have created a pressing issue for families and residents across the state, driving many into poverty and homelessness. One of California’s largest cities, San Diego has long faced challenges in providing affordable housing options to its residents. On top of zoning issues that create burdensome restrictions and a scarcity of affordable housing developers in the region, there is also the public’s general disdain for affordable housing. 

In light of these issues, investing in diverse affordable housing leaders is critical to strengthening the housing industry. They bring a range of perspectives, knowledge of the needs of underserved communities, foster innovation, contribute to economic revitalization, and advocate for policy changes. Their contributions help create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable housing industry.

Through the Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI), LISC is building the capacity and growing the next generation of diverse leaders committed to tackling California’s affordable housing crisis with financial support from Merritt Community Capital Corporation. LISC offices in California launched HDTI 35 years ago to respond to the lack of affordable housing training for project managers to succeed in the field. Since then, the program has prepared over 500 hundred graduates representing 100 community development organizations who are now changing the affordable housing landscape throughout the state. 

We’re now three months into the 2023 HDTI class, made up of 50 participants from across the state. We checked in with a few San Diego-based members to get their perspectives on their region's affordable housing challenges and solutions. 

What are San Diego's most pressing affordable housing challenges?

“Some of the region's most pressing challenges are the general lack of affordable housing and funding sources, high construction costs, higher-than-usual interest rates, and insufficient political backing for affordable housing in San Diego County. The time and money it takes for an affordable housing project to reach occupancy is too long and expensive, especially when the need is immediate in San Diego.” - Pablo Estrada, Assistant Project Manager, Community HousingWorks

“San Diego's canyons pose challenges in real estate development due to their unique qualities. While traditional approaches tend to flatten sites for cost and time efficiency, I encourage my team to prioritize the human experience and environment, promoting design iterations that integrate with nature and foster healthy living practices. In line with this, I actively seek funding mechanisms to preserve the natural environment and implement design methodologies that align with real estate development goals.” - Oscar Del Toro, Project Manager, ​​Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty (MAAC), US Air Force Veteran

“Affordable housing projects take time and investment from the community. All too often we are seeing very attractive projects miss funding, permitting, or other milestones due to the red tape that governs how we make affordable projects work. Missing any milestone could mean a timeline is pushed out not just months but years. This applies even more so to permanent supportive housing, where we are seeing an even greater need.” - Frank Hanna, Senior Project Manager, San Diego Housing Commission

Tell us about the project you are working on and how it’s addressing San Diego’s housing crisis. 

“I am working on the Kimball Highland Master Plan (KHMP) project in the heart of National City in southwestern San Diego County. In partnership with San Ysidro Health, the project will include two buildings that will provide more than 100 units, a senior center for the public, and a clinic in a densely populated area. KHMP will serve as a blueprint for future developments to inspire partnerships with great organizations to offer services alongside housing.” - Pablo Estrada, Assistant Project Manager, Community HousingWorks

“I currently manage three projects, including a 400-unit, 22-story affordable housing complex in National City. During pre-development, we faced graffiti issues at the site, which highlighted the disconnect between artists and their environment. To foster a connection with the community, I chose to expand on the existing graffiti artwork, preserving its outline and incorporating it into a snapshot of our affordable housing proposal. This piece, currently for sale, has remained untouched for months and its proceeds will benefit the community, reflecting our team's commitment to creative solutions for socio-economic issues.” - Oscar Del Toro, Project Manager, ​​Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty (MAAC), US Air Force Veteran

“As the lead project manager, I oversaw the successful implementation of the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Pilot Program, initiated by the San Diego Housing Commission. ADUs are recognized as one of the top five potential sources for new housing units in San Diego, with estimates ranging from 2,700 to 5,500 units over the next decade. As part of HDTI, I am actively exploring ADUs as a solution for affordable housing by developing side-by-side duplex ADUs at two sites and providing publicly-available ADU template plan sets to homeowners in San Diego, streamlining the permit approval process. Read about our pilot program here.” -  Frank Hanna, Senior Project Manager, San Diego Housing Commission

HDTI is preparing the next generation of leaders committed to innovative solutions to California’s affordable housing crisis. They're not just building physical structures, but redefining affordable housing to mean vibrant and desirable communities.  Thanks to a generous grant from Merritt Community Capital Corporation, LISC is continuing HDTI’s mission and expanding its work to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion within the affordable housing industry.