To address the shortage of affordable housing in the City of San Diego, it is essential to preserve existing housing units that have deed restrictions that require their rents to remain affordable for households at specified levels of low income. New construction alone cannot keep up with the growing need for homes people can afford.
On October 27, 2020, the San Diego City Council approved seven actions to implement a strategy for affordable housing preservation in the City of San Diego, including the development of an affordable housing preservation ordinance.
Notice of Intent to Sell
When a property owner provides SDHC a “Notice of Intent to Sell” their deed-restricted affordable housing, SDHC will post that notice here.
- No current notices
Qualified Entities
Owners who want to sell deed-restricted affordable housing are required to provide a “Notice of Intent to Sell” to SDHC and other organizations that the State of California identifies as “Qualified Entities.”
Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance
On February 3, 2025, and February 25, 2025, the San Diego City Council adopted an ordinance to encourage the preservation of deed-restricted affordable housing.
Templates
Property owners and Qualified Entities may use the following templates as guides to fulfill the requirements in the deed-restricted affordable housing ordinance.
- Notice of Intent to Sell (coming soon)
- Letter of Interest (coming soon)
- Right of First Refusal (coming soon)
- Offer to Purchase (coming soon)
- Agreement to Preserve Affordability (coming soon)
Additional Information
- Preserving Affordable Housing in the City of San Diego (SDHC study, May 2020)
- City Council Resolution R-313276 (October 27, 2020)
- Opinion: “Commission working to preserve existing affordable housing” (San Diego Union-Tribune, January 29, 2025)
