August 3, 2021
San Diego ADUs Won't Provide Affordable Housing
Neighbors For A Better San Diego White Paper Analyzing San Diego's ADU Affordability Incentives
Neighbors For A Better San Diego has prepared this report to consider whether the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law (§141.0302) that San Diego approved in October 2020 will help address San Diego’s affordable housing needs. We specifically explore the income levels at which San Diego has a known gap or shortage of housing units and determine whether the city’s ADU code will encourage the production of ADUs at those rental price points.
To summarize our conclusions, San Diego’s ADU affordability incentives miss the mark on affordable housing, primarily because so-called “affordable” rent levels are comparable to market rates. Further, returns on investment to developers are particularly biased against building the 2+ bedroom units that are needed by low- and middle-income families, contrary to the city’s inclusionary housing goals.
Read the full report here: