San Diego’s housing crisis has been decades in the making, and addressing it requires action on every front. If we want working families, seniors, and young people to thrive here, we must build more neighborhood-scale, for-sale homes that once gave middle-class families a foothold.
For too many San Diegans, the path from renting to owning feels out of reach — not because they don’t work hard or save responsibly, but because the kinds of attainable homes that used to exist simply aren’t being built anymore. Families that want to buy their first home, stay close to aging parents, or downsize in the neighborhoods they love are running into the same problem: There just aren’t enough options.
This is why my team and I are preparing a new policy initiative focused squarely on rebuilding this missing rung of the housing ladder. Before we put specific ideas on the table, we will begin a community engagement process before the end of the year to hear directly from residents, housing experts, and stakeholders about what kinds of middle-income homes would actually work in neighborhoods across the city. That feedback will help shape a set of policy recommendations that I will bring forward to the City Council for public review and discussion in the new year.
If you and your family have been affected by the “missing middle” housing — if you have tried to buy a starter home, stay in your neighborhood, or make room for family and could not find anything attainable — I want to hear from you. Please call or text (619) 736-5436 and leave a brief voicemail sharing your experience.
Your stories matter, and they will help shape this effort.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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License Plate Reader Technology Helps Officers Safely Locate Missing Senior
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When an elderly man suffering from dementia didn’t return home after a routine trip to the bank in Tierrasanta, his family immediately reported him missing. With only a description of his vehicle and growing concern about his medical condition, the San Diego Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit entered the car’s license plate into the City’s ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader) Hotlist to activate alerts across the system. Officers also coordinated with state partners to broaden the search.
Later that evening, an ALPR camera detected the vehicle on Genesee Avenue, generating a real-time alert that narrowed the search to North Clairemont. That single detection provided officers with the first solid lead since the man had disappeared the night before. Northern Division officers were dispatched immediately, canvassing the area based on the precise timestamp and location captured by the camera.
Within minutes, officers found the man driving near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. He was disoriented and exhausted, but safe. Officers stayed with him until medical personnel arrived and helped reunite him with his family. Their quick response, supported by the ALPR alert, prevented a situation that could have become far more dangerous as the night progressed.
This case illustrates the value of using technology to support public safety — not only in solving crimes, but in protecting vulnerable residents. By providing officers with accurate, immediate information, ALPR gives them the tools to act quickly during critical moments, ensuring families get answers and neighbors get help when they need it most.
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Neighborhood Meter Revenue Delivering Local Improvements Across San Diego
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When you pull into a metered space, tap your card or phone, and watch the green light blink on, you can know that moment is directly tied to visible improvements in the neighborhood around you.
That’s truer today than it’s ever been thanks to a recent change to how we invest parking revenue in parking meter zones. Under our updated approach, 100% of parking meter revenues are transparently invested, right where they were collected to support the streets, sidewalks, and lighting that residents rely on every day.
Since the City Council approved this shift on Oct. 27, the results are already taking shape across San Diego. City crews have completed 588 repairs in the communities where the revenue was generated: 276 in Downtown, 142 in Mid-City, 70 in Pacific Beach, and 100 in Uptown. These neighborhood-driven investments reflect what residents have consistently asked for — faster repairs and greater transparency about how public dollars are used.
By streamlining the process and giving City crews direct responsibility for using parking meter revenue to deliver projects, we’re reducing backlogs and ensuring improvements happen quickly and consistently.
From brighter streetscapes to repaired sidewalks and upgraded street safety features, these investments are already improving how people move through their communities. And as more meter revenue is reinvested locally, neighborhoods across San Diego will continue to see the benefits of a system designed to be clear, accountable, and focused on delivering results right where people live and park.
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WWE Survivor Series Brings Big Energy — and Big Benefits — to San Diego
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Events of this scale don’t just create unforgettable moments — they generate real, measurable benefits for our city. Visitors booking hotel rooms contribute to the hotel tax that funds neighborhood improvements, and parking meter revenue helps fund improvements to downtown infrastructure like streetlight repairs. And because Petco Park is City-owned, San Diego receives 30 percent of stadium event proceeds.
This milestone night showed the world what San Diego can deliver — and I want WWE to see this success and consider returning next year, while other global events recognize the momentum here and choose San Diego as their next stop.
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❄️ Mayor’s Mix: Winter in San Diego Edition! ❄️
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Last week, we asked: Which neighborhood was once home to one of the largest turkey farms on the West Coast?
▪️ Clairemont — 19.85%
▪️ Valley Center — 52.94%
▪️ Otay Mesa — 27.21%
The correct answer is Valley Center, where sprawling ranchlands once supported Henry’s Turkey Ranch — one of the largest and best-known turkey farms on the West Coast. The operation supplied markets across California and helped shape early agricultural life in North County.
This week’s question: Even in sunny San Diego, we still get our fair share of winter weather in the mountains. Which mountain community in the San Diego region recorded the largest single-day snowfall on record?
▪️ Mt. Laguna
▪️ Julian
▪️ Palomar Mountain
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Pothole Repairs Prioritized after Winter Rains
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The City’s pothole crews entered the November storms with a historically low backlog of fewer than 100 reported potholes, putting the City in a strong position as we head into a potentially wet winter. With new, more capable patch trucks on the street and nine crews deployed citywide each day, our Transportation Department is keeping repair times down and responding quickly to new reports.
As of this week, the backlog spiked and is now at 345 potholes, with 774 service notifications received since Nov. 13. Operations do not stop during rain; teams prioritize emergency locations and use bagged asphalt as needed. After rain events, crews resume responses using hot asphalt. We are aware that new potholes often form during rain, and the Transportation team is actively monitoring incoming reports and dispatching requests as efficiently as possible to ensure prompt response. Please
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Run for Hope Brings Community Together in Balboa Park
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Father Joe’s Villages’ annual Run for Hope 5K brought thousands of San Diegans to Balboa Park, uniting runners, volunteers, and families to support neighbors experiencing homelessness. The event showcased the generosity and community spirit that define this city, raising funds that help provide meals and services to those who need them most.
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Thanksgiving Support for Families and Seniors Across San Diego
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In Chollas View and City Heights, neighbors, community partners, and volunteers came together to support families ahead of the holiday. At the annual Turkey Giveaway and Resource Fair at the Joe and Vi Jacobs Center in Chollas View, one thousand turkeys were distributed alongside food, entertainment, and access to community resources. In City Heights, seniors received turkeys and fresh produce thanks to the San Diego Food Bank, Serving Seniors, Cox Communications, Nicole Murray Ramirez, Building Skills Partnership, and generous community donors. These events reflect the generosity and community spirit that define our neighborhoods.
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PopUp Bagels Brings East Coast Flavor to La Jolla
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La Jolla welcomed a new small business as PopUp Bagels opened its first West Coast shop. Council President Joe LaCava and I met the owners, toured the kitchen, and saw the excitement as customers lined up for their signature fresh-baked bagels. Their decision to invest in our community highlights the strength of San Diego’s local business environment and the energy of our neighborhoods.
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Fire-Rescue Promotions Strengthen Public Safety Leadership
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In Kearny Mesa, I joined the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department as they recognized firefighters and lifeguards stepping into new leadership roles. These promotions reflect dedication, professionalism, and the commitment our public safety teams bring to communities across the city. I’m grateful for their service and for the work they do every day to keep San Diegans safe.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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San Diego & Italy: Partners in Maritime History and Trade
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It was a pleasure to host the Consul General of Italy, Raffaella Valentini, as we reflected on the deep history of Italian contributions to San Diego and celebrated the energy and pride of our vibrant Little Italy community. We discussed opportunities to strengthen our relationship with Italy — expanding trade, building on our shared maritime heritage, and highlighting the recent sister-museum partnership between San Diego’s Maritime Museum and Genoa’s Galata Museo del Mare. Exchanges like these enrich San Diego by fostering global connectivity that benefits our residents, our economy, and our cultural understanding.
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Mayor for a Day Contest Now Open
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Each year, the Mayor for a Day contest gives San Diego students the chance to share their ideas for the future of our city. It’s a program that means a lot to me personally. When I was 10 years old growing up in Clairemont, I was the runner-up in a similar contest. Thirty-two years later, I was sworn in as San Diego’s 37th Mayor. Experiences like that can spark a lifelong interest in public service, and that’s exactly what this contest aims to do.
K–12 students who live in San Diego are invited to submit an essay or video describing what San Diego would look like if they were Mayor for a day. We’re looking for creativity, leadership, and a clear vision for how to make our city better for everyone. The selected student will shadow me at City Hall and be recognized at the State of the City address in January 2026.
Applications are due by Wednesday, Dec. 10, by 11:59 p.m. For questions about submissions, students and families can reach out to Community Representative Korral Taylor at TaylorK@sandiego.gov. I look forward to hearing from the young San Diegans who want to step up and lead.
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Help Shape the Future of Recreation Programming in San Diego
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The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents to help shape the future of recreation in San Diego. Community input will guide how recreation centers operate, what programs are offered, and how residents receive information about them.
Join an upcoming in-person Town Hall to share your ideas and feedback. Each event will include a presentation, Q&A session, and interactive tables for participants to provide input. Light snacks and childcare will be provided, and attendees will have a chance to win a $25 gift card.
Upcoming Town Halls
- Monday, Nov. 24, 2025: Council District 7
Allied Gardens Recreation Center
5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego, CA 92120
6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025: Council District 1
Carmel Valley Recreation Center
3777 Townsgate Drive, San Diego, CA 92130
6-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025: Council District 2
South Clairemont Recreation Center
3605 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117
6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025: Council District 5
Carmel Mountain Ranch / Sabre Springs Recreation Center
10152 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
6-7:30 p.m.
The Parks and Recreation Department is also inviting community leaders and representatives to 45-minute Zoom focus groups to share ideas, flag barriers to participation, and improve how we communicate about programs. Sessions include a brief presentation, Q&A, and an interactive survey. Registration is required.
Upcoming dates (by Council Districts):
Upcoming Virtual Focus Groups
- Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025: Council Districts 3, 6 and 7
3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025: Council Districts 1, 2 and 5
4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026: All Council Districts
11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026: All Council Districts
4 p.m.
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Civic Center Plaza Comes Alive with Plaza Central Pop-Ups
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Downtown’s Civic Center Plaza is getting a vibrant refresh with Plaza Central — a new series of pop-up events bringing food, music, and art to the heart of the city. The activations are free and open to the public every Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a lively preview of the area’s long-term revitalization.
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Stay Informed with Inside San Diego
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and information about our city through Inside San Diego, our new hub for all things San Diego.
From community updates to important City announcements, Inside San Diego is your go-to source for staying engaged and informed as a resident.
Don’t miss out on critical alerts and updates—sign up today to receive notifications via email or text message.
It’s a simple way to stay connected with everything happening in our great city. Subscribe now!
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