November 13, 2023

SDHC’s Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report Features Agency Initiatives and Positive Impact on Families in Need

The San Diego Housing Commission published the report today at www.sdhc.org

SAN DIEGO, CA — A senior unable to afford both rent and food until she received assistance. A mother working toward a better life for herself and her children. A veteran with a rental home of his own after experiencing homelessness. They are among the thousands of San Diegans who received assistance from the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) through initiatives highlighted in SDHC’s Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report.

“Having a stable and affordable place to call home is essential. That is why the work we do is so important,” SDHC Interim President & CEO Jeff Davis said. “This year’s annual report demonstrates the breadth of our innovative housing assistance programs and their positive impact on families. I thank Mayor Todd Gloria, City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and the City Council, our Board of Commissioners, our exceptional staff, and the many organizations that collaborate with us on these efforts.”

SDHC published the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report today on its website at www.sdhc.org. It includes videos of program participants sharing their stories in their own words, as well as data, graphics and descriptions of SDHC’s initiatives to assist households with low income or experiencing homelessness in the City of San Diego.

For example, Teri lives on her fixed income from Social Security Disability Insurance. She sometimes delayed her rent payment so she could buy food. Then, she enrolled in the Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP), which launched in Fiscal Year 2023. SDHC operates HIPP for the City of San Diego, helping participants pay rent and other housing-related expenses for up to 24 months.

“If not for this program, I would be struggling,” Teri said.

While receiving federal rental assistance from SDHC, Joanna left a restaurant job to begin working as a phlebotomist at a local hospital and improved her credit score with assistance from SDHC Achievement Academy programs. The SDHC Achievement Academy is a learning and resource center with programs that emphasize career planning, job skills, job placement and personal financial education—at no cost to program participants.

“My kids see the big difference from a few years ago,” she said. “They see like everything I’ve had to overcome, all the hard work that I’ve put in working, going to school, still being there for them, like showing up to their games because they’re very active with their schools … I feel it’s affected them in a positive way.”

Terry, a military veteran, experienced homelessness until he moved into Island Village Apartments with help from SDHC’s Landlord Engagement and Assistance Program (LEAP) and a Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher from SDHC. VASH vouchers assist veterans experiencing chronic homelessness.

“If it wasn’t for the LEAP program, and I can tell you quite honestly (and) factually, just in this neighborhood, there would be hundreds of people who probably would not be able to find adequate housing,” Terry said. “And most people I know are very, very grateful for that.”

Data about SDHC’s positive impact in Fiscal Year 2023 include:

• 19,424 households received federal rental assistance during Fiscal Year 2023.
• • 4,254 rental assistance households previously experienced homelessness.
• 941 affordable rental housing units were completed, consisting of new construction as well as rehabilitation of existing units.
• • 2,061 affordable rental housing units have at least preliminary approval and are pending completion.
• 30 first-time homebuyers were assisted.
• 483 housing opportunities were created through HOUSING FIRST – SAN DIEGO, SDHC’s homelessness action plan.
• 5,396 households housed through SDHC- and City-funded homelessness programs.
• 16,385 individuals were served through City homelessness shelters and services programs that SDHC administers.

The Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report also highlights additional initiatives, including:

• SDHC’s continuing leadership role with the Community Action Plan on Homelessness for the City of San Diego, including work during the fiscal year on an updated analysis of crisis response and housing needs.
• SDHC’s update of its rental assistance waiting lists.
• SDHC’s creation of the City of San Diego Tenant Protection Guide and web page.
• SDHC’s advancement of a plan to increase density at its properties to provide additional affordable housing.
• SDHC’s launch of a first-time homebuyer program for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) households with middle-income.
• SDHC’s administration of the Eviction Prevention Program for the City of San Diego.

SDHC’s Annual Report is produced in-house by the agency’s Communications & Government Relations Division.

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Media Contact:
Scott Marshall
Vice President of Communications
San Diego Housing Commission
619-578-7138
scottm@sdhc.org