San Diego, October 9, 2025
News Summary
San Diego has made significant progress in housing development, permitting 31,458 homes since the current administration began. However, competition from cities like New York and Dallas remains a challenge. The city is focused on affordable housing, yet the demand for new homes continues to outpace supply, showcasing ongoing issues with housing affordability and meeting residents’ needs.
San Diego’s Housing Progress Evident Amidst National Construction Permit Competition
San Diego is experiencing significant housing development achievements under the leadership of Mayor Todd Gloria. In the past four years, the city has permitted a total of 31,458 homes, and 2024 has already shown promising results with the city permitting 8,782 new homes, which Gloria has highlighted as a remarkably strong year for housing.
This current figure represents an impressive increase of nearly 11,000 more homes permitted compared to the previous four-year period. However, a new report indicates that while San Diego is making strides, it faces stiff competition from other cities in terms of new construction permits.
The report focuses specifically on apartment buildings with 50 units or more, where San Diego has allowed approximately 4,700 larger residential units this year. Comparatively, New York and Dallas are permitting around 29,000 to 30,000 apartment units each, while Denver surpasses San Diego with over 12,000 units. This disparity points to the intense competition in the national housing market.
The report utilized data from Yardi, a software technology company known for tracking commercial real estate trends. An expert from Yardi noted that despite facing challenges, San Diego performs better than other California cities regarding housing permits. One major hurdle for the city stems from California’s stricter building regulations, which complicate direct comparisons with cities in other states.
San Diego’s construction process is often prolonged due to various regulatory requirements, including coastal height restrictions that limit building heights to 30 feet near the ocean. These limitations further constrain development options. Yet, Gloria’s administration has implemented changes designed to expedite the permitting process, previously doubling the number of permits compared to the last two decades.
City officials are optimistic about San Diego’s housing record, viewing it as significantly better than in other major cities within California. Gloria has shown a strong commitment to prioritizing affordable housing and tackling the housing crisis facing the city. Over the past two decades, the city has issued the highest number of housing permits, providing vital opportunities for various segments of the population.
Neighborhoods such as Uptown, Navajo, Kearny Mesa, Downtown, North Park, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Clairemont saw the highest numbers of housing permits issued. An executive order from Gloria mandates an expedited review process for 100% affordable housing projects, allowing for faster approvals within a span of 30 days.
Despite these advancements, San Diego’s efforts to meet housing demand still fall short. According to the city’s Housing Element, there is a need for roughly 108,000 new homes over eight years. An analysis indicates that only one in ten county residents can afford a median-priced home, which underscores ongoing affordability issues plaguing the area.
Furthermore, it has been noted that more than half of renters in San Diego are considered housing-burdened. The high cost of living has led nearly two-thirds of residents to contemplate leaving the area, highlighting the urgent requirement for more housing affordability solutions.
FAQ
How many homes did San Diego permit in 2024?
San Diego permitted 8,782 new homes in 2024.
How many homes were permitted in the last four years?
The city has permitted a total of 31,458 homes in the last four years.
What is the housing demand according to San Diego’s Housing Element?
The demand is for roughly 108,000 new homes over eight years.
How has the permitting process changed under Mayor Gloria’s administration?
Gloria’s administration has made changes to speed up the permitting process, previously doubling the average number of permits compared to the last 20 years.
What percentage of renters in San Diego are considered housing-burdened?
More than half of renters in San Diego are considered housing-burdened.
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Key Features of San Diego’s Housing Progress
| Year | Homes Permitted | New Apartment Units | Housing Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8,782 | 4,700 | 108,000 new homes over eight years |
| Last Four Years (Cumulative) | 31,458 | N/A | N/A |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- 10 News
- Wikipedia: Housing Development
- Planetizen
- Google Search: San Diego housing
- Governing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
- Times of San Diego
- Google News: San Diego housing development
Author: Construction TX News
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