A stable, affordable home is the foundation for families in our community to have the opportunity to thrive in virtually every aspect of daily life, including health, work, school and community connections. In a high-cost housing market like the City of San Diego, many families with lower incomes need support and assistance to achieve that essential housing stability and affordability. For the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), the families we serve are our primary focus every day.

As we report on our activities throughout Fiscal Year 2025, we have the privilege of sharing the stories of many of these families. They include stories of resilience, determination, aspiration and accomplishments.

Anna and her children are among the nearly 19,000 households for which we provided federal rental assistance during the fiscal year. SDHC’s rental assistance through an ongoing collaboration with the Monarch School, as well as our Family Self-Sufficiency program through the SDHC Achievement Academy, provided Anna’s family the opportunity for a safe place to call home and a career path for Anna after experiencing homelessness.

Jaylen, a young adult, slept on the streets for several months until he connected with shelter programs and eventually was matched to a rental apartment at Presidio Palms, a former hotel that SDHC purchased and converted into affordable apartments for people experiencing homelessness. Presidio Palms celebrated its grand opening in June. Now, Jaylen looks forward to the future with ambitions of a career in the trucking industry.

Georgia was priced out of her longtime Clairemont home when the property’s new owners doubled her rent, and she considered moving away from San Diego altogether. However, a new, affordable apartment at the Paul Downey Senior Residence, built in collaboration with SDHC, provided her security and community, including potlucks among the seniors who have made a home at this property.

Through rental assistance, homelessness solutions and affordable housing, SDHC has a positive impact on thousands of families in the City of San Diego, including Anna, Jaylen, Georgia and many more. While we believe in data-driven decisions—and have included a variety of data and graphics in this report—we never lose sight of the personal stories that the numbers represent.

Our work to support these families is stronger because of our collaborations with many community organizations and property owners. We thank them for joining us in these efforts. Additionally, our exceptional, dedicated staff deserve our recognition for the difference they make in the lives of the families we engage with every day.

We are also guided by elected leaders who consistently prioritize and support housing solutions, including Mayor Todd Gloria, City Council President Joe LaCava and all San Diego City Councilmembers. We also acknowledge and thank our Board of Commissioners, led by Chair Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell, for their support and guidance.

As we reflect on Fiscal Year 2025, we are mindful that the past year has been one of significant change, with diminishing resources and greater uncertainty as costs increase and the need for our assistance grows. Guided by our new Strategic Plan for the years ahead, resiliency will be our theme as we reimagine SDHC. So, we can successfully navigate through this time of profound change, be prepared for future opportunities, stay focused on our mission, and above all, remain grounded in our values and informed by the families we serve.

Together, with our dedicated staff, our many partners, and the San Diego community, SDHC will continue to adapt, innovate, and deliver.

Sincerely,

Lisa Jones
President and CEO
San Diego Housing Commission