San Diego Unsheltered Homelessness Falls 6.6% as Rents Drop and Housing Permits Nearly Double

"San Diego renters are seeing prices ease: the city says median one- and two-bedroom rents are down 5.6% and 7.5% over the past year as active listings rose 15% citywide. The rent data arrived alongside the newly released Point-in-Time Count, which showed unsheltered homelessness fell 6.6%-from 3,354 people to 3,132-marking the second consecutive year of decline."

"For two decades, San Diego permitted roughly 4,300 new homes per year. That number jumped to nearly 9,700 in 2023 and approximately 8,500 in 2024. The city is also pointing to that sharp jump in permitted homes as a supply signal that can shape competition and pricing over time."

"City programs like Affordable Housing Permit Now-created through an executive order from Mayor Todd Gloria-require the city's Development Services Department to review 100% affordable housing and shelter projects within 30 days. According to the city's release, 97% of income-restricted affordable homes and 85% of all new homes were permitted in the city's most transit-accessible areas-meaning most of that new supply is landing where bus and trolley connections already exist."

"Some of the sharpest improvements came in historically hard-to-serve populations. Unsheltered youth homelessness dropped 42%. Unsheltered veteran homelessness fell 16%. Unsheltered family homelessness declined 3%. City officials credit a shift away from large, one-size-fits-all shelters toward specialized programs. Over the past two years, more than 360 city-funded shelter beds were added, targeting women, families with children, transition-age youth, seniors, veterans, and people with alcohol use disorder."

Median one- and two-bedroom rents in San Diego fell 5.6% and 7.5% over the past year. Active listings rose 15% citywide. A newly released Point-in-Time Count reported unsheltered homelessness decreased 6.6%, from 3,354 people to 3,132, marking a second consecutive year of decline. Housing production increased sharply, with permitted homes rising from about 4,300 per year for two decades to nearly 9,700 in 2023 and about 8,500 in 2024. City programs accelerated affordable housing and shelter approvals, with most income-restricted and new homes permitted in transit-accessible areas. Unsheltered youth homelessness fell 42%, unsheltered veteran homelessness fell 16%, and unsheltered family homelessness declined 3%. Specialized shelter programs expanded, including 360 city-funded shelter beds added over two years and a Safe Sleeping Program operating 767 spaces across two locations.

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