We just released the City of San Diego’s 2025 Annual Report on Homes — and the results show that our pro-housing policies are working to build more homes.
In 2024 alone, the City permitted 8,782 new homes. That’s more than double the annual average from the past two decades and proof that the changes we’ve made are working. In the first four years of my administration, we’ve permitted 31,458 homes across San Diego.
These numbers represent veterans moving into permanent housing, seniors aging with dignity in their communities, and working families finding homes near schools and jobs. Through policies and programs like Complete Communities, Affordable Housing Permit Now, and Bridge to Home, the report shows that we’re building the vast majority of new homes near transit and creating thousands of income-restricted affordable homes that will remain accessible for decades to come.
I’m proud that San Diego is leading the state, permitting more homes per capita than any of California’s other big cities. This momentum is encouraging, but there’s still much more to be done — including creating more opportunities for homeownership so more San Diegans can afford to put down roots.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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Planning Commission Unanimously Advances Transformational Midway Rising Project for Sports Arena site
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The City of San Diego Planning Commission has unanimously voted to advance the Midway Rising redevelopment plan for the Sports Arena site, moving the project one step closer to final City Council consideration later this fall.
Midway Rising will transform the current 49-acre Sports Arena site into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood that includes more than 4,000 new homes—2,000 of them affordable for households earning 80% of the area median income or below. This will be the largest affordable housing development in California’s history.
The plan also calls for a modern, 16,000-seat sports and entertainment center to replace the aging Pechanga Arena, as well as 14.5 acres of parks and public spaces, new shops and restaurants, and major infrastructure upgrades including new roads, transit facilities, and other improvements.
Led by Chelsea Investment Corporation, Legends, Zephyr, and The Kroenke Group, Midway Rising was selected for its ambitious housing commitments and the team’s development experience and financial strength.
City staff and community members have spent the last three years shaping the project through workshops, environmental review, and public hearings. If approved by the City Council, groundbreaking is anticipated in 2026.
This redevelopment will bring thousands of jobs, create a long-overdue community hub in the Midway District, and unlock the potential of City-owned land to deliver housing and opportunity for generations to come.
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State Funding to Boost Four Bridge to Home Projects, Bringing 380 Affordable Homes Closer to Reality
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San Diego has secured new state funding for four affordable housing developments that are also supported by the City’s Bridge to Home gap-financing program. The awards will help move 380 rent-restricted homes toward construction in the College Area, Southeastern San Diego, Otay Mesa, and Grantville. Each project will remain affordable for at least 55 years, ensuring long-term stability for residents.
73rd Street Apartments (College Area): 120 affordable homes; awarded approximately $18.48 million. Just two blocks from El Cajon Boulevard, a major bus corridor, this project is highly transit-oriented. Up to 30 homes will be set aside as permanent supportive housing, with rents restricted to 30%, 40%, and 50% of County Area Median Income, or AMI. That means a family of four earning $66,200 annually (50% AMI) could pay no more than $1,655 a month for rent. The mix includes 58 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom, and 30 three-bedroom apartments, helping to meet demand for family-sized housing.
Encanto Gateway (Southeastern San Diego): 65 affordable homes serving low-income families and people experiencing homelessness; awarded $1.5 million.
Iris Avenue Trolley Apartments (Otay Mesa): 64 affordable homes built right on the Blue Line trolley route; awarded $3.9 million. This transit-oriented development will allow residents to step out their front door and directly access climate-friendly transportation options.
Goodwin on Glacier (Grantville): 131 affordable homes for seniors; awarded $35.5 million. Located in a state-designated High Resource Area, this community will give older San Diegans the chance to age in place in a neighborhood with access to jobs, services, and high-performing schools nearby.
These investments are part of the state’s latest Multifamily Finance Super NOFA awards, which allocated over $414 million statewide to accelerate more than 2,000 affordable homes. Bridge to Home’s local gap financing helped each of these San Diego projects compete successfully for these dollars, leveraging City support to bring in significant outside funding and speed up delivery of homes near jobs, transit, and everyday amenities.
Together, these awards strengthen our housing pipeline, support local construction jobs, and advance our commitment to build more housing so every San Diegan can have a roof over their head at a price they can afford.
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👍📚 Mayor’s Mix: San Diego’s First Branch Library 📚👍
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Last week, we asked: Which San Diego neighborhood was the first to get a branch library outside of Downtown?
Here’s how you voted:
▪️ “Logan Heights” — 33.77%
▪️ “University Heights” — 44.16%
▪️ “La Jolla” — 22.08% ✅
The correct answer is La Jolla. In 1898, a small library opened in La Jolla, and by 1910, it became the first official branch of the San Diego Public Library. By 1917, six other branches followed — some in schools, rented rooms, and even a department store. La Jolla’s library set the stage for the robust branch system San Diegans enjoy today.
This week’s question: Which San Diego park is the largest by acreage?
▪️ Balboa Park
▪️ Mission Trails Regional Park
▪️ Otay Valley Regional Park
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Fresh Asphalt Smooths 62nd Street in Rolando Village
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Crews completed asphalt overlay work along 62nd Street in Rolando Village, grinding down the old surface and replacing it with fresh pavement. The result is a smoother, safer road that improves daily travel for drivers, cyclists, and neighbors in the community.
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America’s Air Show at MCAS Miramar
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At MCAS Miramar, I helped kick off the 2025 “America’s Air Show,” the largest military air show in the nation. This year’s event honored the 250th birthdays of both the Marine Corps and the Navy while showcasing the strength and innovation of our armed forces and civilian aviation. San Diego is a proud military town, and events like this celebrate our deep connection to the people who serve.
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Honoring Lifeguards at the 45th Annual PAESAN BBQ in Pacific Beach
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At De Anza Cove in Mission Bay Park, the Pacific Beach Town Council hosted the 45th Annual Police and Emergency Services Appreciation Night — PAESAN. Each year a public safety group is honored and supported — rotating among lifeguards, firefighters, park rangers and police, and this year the focus was on our amazing lifeguards. Community engagement representative Fatima Maciel, joined the celebration, which brought neighbors together for a BBQ and fundraiser supporting essential safety equipment and gear for our frontline protectors. I’m grateful to the Town Council and residents of Pacific Beach for backing the dedicated men and women who keep our beaches safe.
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Civic Theatre Marks 60 Years with Community Celebration
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Downtown’s historic Civic Theatre welcomed San Diegans for its 60th Anniversary Open House, showcasing recent upgrades to the venue and plaza. My community representative Randy Reyes attended the free, family-friendly event to honor the Civic Theatre with a mayoral proclamation. Celebrating six decades of arts and culture, the Civic Theatre remains a cornerstone of San Diego’s cultural life.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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San Diego on the Global Stage: Building Global Partnerships for Local Prosperity
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Congressman Scott Peters and I led a regional delegation with World Trade Center San Diego to France to strengthen international ties that deliver results back here at home. France is San Diego’s third-largest foreign investor, with $5.6 billion invested since 2014 in industries like biotech, aerospace, and clean energy.
By deepening partnerships with French companies and research institutions—and launching a new Sister City relationship with Marseille, a fellow port and innovation hub—we’re ensuring San Diego businesses can compete globally, creating good-paying local jobs, and securing our region’s leadership in the industries of the future.
My travel expenses were covered by a partnership with World Trade Center San Diego.
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Deadline Approaches for Trash and Recycling Bin Selection
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Eligible property owners have until September 30 to set up accounts and select their new trash and recycling bins at sandiego.gov/trash. Bin deliveries begin October 6, with old containers phased out through 2026.
Creating an account ensures customers receive the right containers, access service updates, and manage future needs.
Residents who no longer qualify for City service must contract with a private hauler. More info on next steps can be found here.
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City Launches First-Ever Community Recreation Needs Assessment
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The City of San Diego has launched its first-ever Community Recreation Needs Assessment (CRNA) to gather community input on recreational programming—such as classes, activities, and services—not the construction of new parks or recreation centers.
Through surveys, focus groups, interviews, workshops, and public meetings, residents will help shape an action plan to strengthen programs, eliminate barriers, and address inequities in access. The goal is to make sure recreation opportunities meet the needs of every neighborhood within our existing park system.
Community members are encouraged to take the online survey—open through February 28, 2026—at sandiego.gov/parksurvey.
For more information go to: https://www.keenindependent.com/studies/sdparksneeds
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Help Shape the Future of the Del Mar Fairgrounds
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The Del Mar Fairgrounds has been home to the San Diego County Fair, horse races, concerts, sports tournaments, and more since 1936. Now, planning is underway for its future through “Fairgrounds 2050.” Public open houses are being held across the region—including one in San Diego on October 20—to gather community input. Learn more and register to attend: https://www.delmarfairgrounds.com/OpenHouse
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What Goes in Your Green Bin?
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San Diegans have embraced organic waste recycling, helping divert more than 194,000 tons from landfills last year. Still, some items are causing problems in the composting process — especially plastic bags. Even those labeled compostable are not allowed in green bins, since they break down into thousands of tiny pieces of plastic.
Your green bin is for food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and meat or bones, as well as yard waste like grass clippings and branches.
For a full list of what can and can’t go in your green bin, visit the Curbside Organic Waste Recycling Guide.
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Volunteers Needed for San Diego Police Department Crisis Intervention Program
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The San Diego Police Department is seeking volunteers to join its Crisis Intervention program, which provides short-term emotional and logistical support to residents experiencing traumatic events such as suicide, homicide, or overdose death. No experience is necessary; training is provided, and bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply. To learn more, including upcoming information sessions, visit sandiego.gov/police/recruiting/volunteer.
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