Housing and development

Data: Newly homeless people continue to outpace those finding housing

New data from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) shows the number of people falling into homelessness continues to outpace the number of people exiting into housing across the San Diego region.

On average, over the last 12 months (October 2022 to September 2023), 10 people found housing for every 16 people who experienced homelessness for the first time. During the previous 12 months (October 2021 to September 2022), 10 people found housing for every 13 who experienced homelessness for the first time.

An analysis of the most recent 12 months of data (October 2022 – September 2023) shows the following:

• 14,258 individuals experiencing homelessness for the first time (vs. 15,327 from October 2021 – September 2022)

• 8,843 individuals exited homelessness (vs. 11,861 from October 2021 – September 2022)

• 45,703 people served (vs. 41,345 from October 2021 – September 2022)

The report reads, “While the increased ratio seems daunting, a deeper understanding of the data provides a fuller perspective. Over 1,000 fewer people experienced homelessness in our region for the first time during the 12 months the data was collected versus the previous 12 months. Meanwhile, the number of people housed fell by more than 3,000 compared to the 2021 – 2022 data set. With the lack of more emergency housing vouchers in 2023, an unrelenting increase in the cost of renting across our region, and the lack of large projects, like Father Joe’s Villages’ St. Teresa of Calcutta, coming online, we see the direct correlation between a lack of housing opportunities and exits from homelessness in this data set.”

45k square feet of leases signed at Downtown office building

ESET and Northwestern Mutual both committed to 10-year leases totaling 45,000 square feet at 655 West Broadway (pictured at top), owned by MetLife Investment Management and leased by CBRE.

Both leases were full-floor deals at the Class A office building in downtown San Diego. ESET leased 24,233 square feet on the seventh floor, and Northwestern Mutual leased 21,837 square feet on the 17th floor. The building provided robust amenities, including an arcade, fitness center, conferencing center, coworking lounge, and deck655, an 8,500-square-foot-indoor-outdoor event space on the sixth floor.

 “Both tenants were drawn to 655 West Broadway because of its ideal location and amenities,” added Mr. Reiter. “These pieces will help each company’s employees return to the office.”

The 23-story office building, built in 2005, is currently at 92.1% occupancy with a diverse mix of tenants, including Robbins Geller, Cetera, RBC Wealth Management and Buchalter.

Little Italy nuisance property to be demolished

The nuisance property at 805 W. Cedar and 1560 California St, located next to a fire station and across from the County Administration Center is the subject of an enforcement action taken by the City Attorney’s Nuisance Abatement Unit. Removal of the community eyesore and neighborhood safety threat comes after a settlement was achieved between the City Attorney’s Office and the building’s owners.

A civil enforcement complaint filed by the City Attorney’s Office against the owners, details at least four years of law enforcement activity at the site. From January 1, 2019, to February 5, 2023, the San Diego Police Department responded to 44 calls for service in response to reports of disturbing the peace, narcotics sales and use, and trespassing. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department also frequently responded to extinguish fires and illegal burns and to provide medical aid to transients, which included responding to a death that occurred on site.

To settle the case, the property owners have agreed to demolish the vacant buildings, pay $3994 in investigative costs, and $200,000 in civil penalties, with $142,500 stayed so long as the property owners comply with the injunction and stipulated judgment terms.  The property owners have also agreed to keep the property free of trash, board and secure the structures pending the demolition, and to hire a security guard to patrol the premises to remove unauthorized individuals.

Asm. Ward appointed chair of housing committee

Assembly member Chris Ward (D-San Diego)  was appointed Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development after serving on the committee for three years after his election in 2020.
“Assembly member Ward has demonstrated a strong commitment in the Assembly on issues related to housing affordability, increasing supply and improving access and equity,” Speaker Robert Rivas said. “I’m confident Chris will build on what Assembly member Wicks accomplished, and deliver much-needed housing solutions that work for all Californians.”

Median home prices held steady in October, home sales declined

Prices of resale homes in San Diego County generally maintained their value in October, while home sales continued to drop, according to the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors.

Home prices remain about 10% higher than a year ago, with the median price of single-family detached properties standing at $964,000 and attached properties (condominiums and townhomes) at $667,500. Compared to the previous month, resale prices of single-family homes were down 3.6%, while prices of attached homes were up just over 1%.

The number of previously owned homes that sold in October fell 10% from October 2022, although sales of single-family ticked up from September by 3%. Conversely, condos and townhomes saw a decline in sales, month-over-month, by 6 percent. For the year-to-date, resale home totals have seen a steep drop of 25 percent from last year.

Rick Snyder installed chair of National Apartment Association

San Diego’s Rick Snyder was installed as the chair of the National Apartment Association at the Hilton Bayfront San Diego. He will begin his yearlong term in January. Snyder takes the helm as the industry faces new regulatory challenges at the national level and in a time of historical rental demand. Snyder has more than 30 years of real estate experience, with a specialization in property management as the head of R.A. Snyder Properties Inc., which manages over 6,000 rental units throughout the San Diego region.

Report: SD has third lowest mortgage delinquency rate

Construction Coverage released a new report about mortgage delinquency rates in the U.S. and found San Diego had the third lowest mortgage delinquency rate among all large metros.

Over the course of 2020 and 2021, while COVID-era financial assistance programs were in effect, serious mortgage delinquencies experienced a 75% drop from their pre-pandemic rate.

Fortunately, that figure has remained low even once those programs ended—likely the result of a strong job market and the fact that, despite rising interest rates for new mortgages, most homeowners who bought or refinanced before 2022 were able to lock in low rates. But while mortgage delinquency rates remain low nationally, the concentration of delinquent mortgages varies significantly by location.

Analyzing data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau, and Zillow, researchers ranked locations based on the percentage of mortgages at least 30 days delinquent as of December 2022, which only applied to 0.7% of mortgages in San Diego and Carlsbad. Meanwhile, 0.2% of San Diego mortgages were in serious delinquency (past due by 90 days or more). At the national level, 1.9% of mortgages were at least 30 days delinquent, and 0.5% were at least 90 days delinquent.

City of San Diego launches new online permit finder tool

The City of San Diego has unveiled a new online tool to allow San Diegans to easily access to permit activity and historical data. Using Permit Finder — an interactive geographic information system (GIS) platform — San Diegans can now view records of more than one million permits, all in one convenient place. By making permit data available through a user-friendly online platform, the city is also improving efficiencies for Development Services Department staff who can now focus their time on permit reviews and processing.

Tourism

Airport reaches Terminal 1 milestone

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority) celebrated the completion of the steel structure of the first phase of the new Terminal 1 (New T1) on Nov. 15. To mark this milestone, officials signed a steel beam that will be among the final beams installed in the first phase.

The first phase is scheduled to open in late summer 2025 and will offer 19 gates, a parking plaza, an elevated departures roadway, outdoor check-in pavilions, and a dedicated, on-airport arrivals roadway. The New T1 parking plaza is approximately 45% complete and is scheduled to open in late 2024. This five-story structure will offer 5,200 parking spaces.

Construction is also underway on a three-lane on-airport access roadway that will take traffic from Laurel Street directly to the airport, removing 45,000 vehicles a day from Harbor Drive. This will connect to a dual-level roadway and curb front that will separate arriving and departing passenger traffic with an elevated departures roadway and curbside outdoor check- in. Curved glass panels are now being installed on the façade of the new terminal; part of the “Luminous Wave” curtain wall. The curtain wall system is comprised of 689 glazing units, that when fully assembled, will result in a glass wall that is 32 feet tall, and 900 feet long that will help control the heat, sunlight, and glare for those inside the building.

The second phase is scheduled to open in 2028 and will add 11 more gates for a total of 30 gates in the New T1.

Tourism Authority: 30 million visitors, $14 B in visitor spending

The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) celebrated a triumphant 2023 fiscal year today at its 69th Annual Meeting held at SeaWorld San Diego.

In fiscal year 2023, San Diego welcomed an estimated 30.5 million visitors who collectively stayed longer in the region and contributed a record $14.28 billion in direct spending locally — a significant $1 billion increase compared to the previous fiscal year. With visitors steadily coming to the San Diego region, local hotels also achieved higher occupancy rates countywide at an average of 73.7%, an increase of 5% year-over-year. These hotel stays helped generate more than $418 million in transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue for local municipalities.

San Diego’s bustling tourism in fiscal year 2023 fueled unprecedented regional economic growth, supported quality jobs, and contributed to essential services and well-being of local communities. The total economic impact generated by tourism reached $23.48 billion and the industry supported more than 214,000 direct and indirect jobs.

People to watch

SD Hunger Coalition welcomes new CEO

San Diego Hunger Coalition’s (SDHC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alondra Alvarado as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Friday, December 1st, 2023. Alondra brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in and with the San Diego County nonprofit community and in government and media affairs in San Diego, Imperial and in Mexico, that will undoubtedly steer San Diego Hunger Coalition towards continued success and growth.

Alondra Alvarado steps into this esteemed role succeeding Anahid Brakke, who served as President and CEO for the past nine years. Under Anahid’s visionary leadership, SDHC tripled the number of staff, programs, and collaborative tables and the organization’s budget grew from less than $500,000 in 2014 to $3.4M in 2023.

San Diego team member wins Hilton’s highest honor

Hilton announced the recipients of its 2023 CEO Light & Warmth Award, recognizing 15 individuals and two teams from Hilton-branded hotels. The CEO Light & Warmth Award is the company’s highest honor celebrating Hilton team members around the world who bring Hilton’s values to life through their inspiring leadership and passion for providing exceptional hospitality. Among this year’s winners is Kelly Riordan, Front Desk Agent, at Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport-Liberty Station.

Riordan was nominated by her colleagues. Finalists were selected by a committee of representatives from across the company, with the winners chosen by Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton. Riordan’s prize includes $10,000 cash.

Local artists win watercolor awards

Edward Abrams and Richard Glassman, artists and residents of Downtown San Diego, California, have won the first and third place awards in the November 2023 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s exhibition “What’s the Story?”, an in-gallery show of the SDWS at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, CA. The paintings are very different and represent the diverse talents of local artists. They were selected by Jesse Miller among 220 paintings.

Therapist releases book for high-conflict couples

Jennine Estes Powell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a heart set on making a big difference in the world of relationships, is releasing a book on Jan. 2, 2024 which can be preorded on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other stores.

She created a group practice in San Diego called Estes Therapy where they specialize in all areas of relationships and taught fellow therapists the intricacies of successful couple counseling.

Seeking a broader impact, she aimed to delve into the challenging realities that highly escalated couples grapple with, areas often shied away from by therapists. Recognizing the challenges of writing, particularly due to a learning disability, she acknowledged the need for a collaborative effort. To tackle this ambitious project, she enlisted the expertise of Jacqueline Wielick, MFT, as a co-author.

Together, they meticulously crafted the book “Help For High-Conflict Couples: Using Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Science of Attachment to Build Lasting Connections.” It is designed to confront the common issues that ensnare high-conflict relationships. This isn’t merely a guide for talking it out; it’s a detailed roadmap, a playbook of sorts. Their objective is clear: to provide step-by-step guidance on healing past wounds and enhancing communication, offering a resource that transcends the limitations of traditional therapeutic approaches.

Public spaces

Piazza Constanza opens in Little Italy

The Little Italy Association of San Diego (LIA) celebrated the unveiling of the new Piazza Costanza, a 2,000 square foot public space dedicated to Margaret “Midge” Costanza, a prominent social and political activist. Piazza Costanza, located at the corner of Columbia and W. Ash Streets adjacent to Luma Luxury Apartments, includes a monument with a bronze bust sculpture of Costanza, custom planters with her quotes, enhanced landscaping, hanging flower baskets, and seating areas with umbrellas. Major contributors to the project include well-known figures and organizations such as the Lennar Corporation, State of California recommended by Senate President Pro Tem Toni G. Atkins, and the Joan & Irwin Jacobs family.

New Safe Sidewalk program

As part of a citywide effort to improve sidewalks in all communities, the City of San Diego is investing resources to fix uneven and damaged sidewalks, while also making it easier for people to make repairs in front of their private property.

Launching this year, the Safe Sidewalks Program will waive costly permit fees and help expedite the process for property owners to make needed sidewalk repairs, saving up to $2,100 per project. Many property owners are not aware that state law makes them responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks in front of their private property, creating a potential issue and legal liability.

The program will run through fiscal year 2026.

Children’s Park reopens

Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, along with community leaders and City staff, cut the ribbon to officially reopen Children’s Park in Downtown on Nov. 14. The improvements to the park, which originally opened in the mid-1990s, have been in the works for several years by Downtown and city leaders.

The $9 million project, a collaboration with Civic Communities, will help transform Downtown San Diego into a world-class urban center and aligns with the goals of the Downtown Community Plan, which encourages the development of a diverse range of outdoor opportunities for residents, workers and visitors.

The park’s makeover includes a new children’s play area, picnic tables, adult exercise equipment, an off-leash dog area, public restrooms with an attendant booth, a multi-use lawn area, a new walkway through the Civic Pond and a vendor building.

New vision for public library system

The San Diego City Council has approved the Library Master Plan, which provides a long-range vision and strategy for library facilities, technology and programming.

The Library Master Plan – years in the making – is the result of a partnership between San Diego Public Library and Library Foundation SD. It provides an aspirational vision for a library system that’s empowered, equitable and engaging.

With the unanimous vote, the San Diego Public Library now has a plan to modernize its branches, further meet community needs and become more geographically available across San Diego.

Economy and jobs

Report: Continued financial struggles

United Way of San Diego County and United Ways of California presented the eye-opening Real Cost Measure (RCM) 2023 report, revealing that one in three California households, including 36% in San Diego County, face severe financial insecurity. Unlike traditional poverty measurements, this report considers housing, healthcare, and other essential expenses, highlighting the stark disparity between the Federal Poverty Level and the actual cost of living. The study found a family of four needs $110,568 annually for a decent standard of living in San Diego County, emphasizing the challenge faced by working class families. The cost of housing contributed significantly to the financial struggle many San Diegans face.

Report: Food insecurity in SD

SDHC 5th Annual State of Hunger discussion panel.jpg

The 5th Annual State of Hunger luncheon, held on November 16, 2023, by San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC) unveiled staggering statistics shedding light on the prevalent concern of nutrition insecurity in San Diego.

Key findings from San Diego Hunger Coalition indicate that nearly 1 in 4 San Diegans were grappling with nutrition insecurity as of June 2023, representing approximately 790,000 individuals. Among these numbers, alarming trends emerged, particularly affecting vulnerable groups within the community.

The data revealed that around 30% of children, almost 1 in 4 older adults, and nearly 2 in 5 individuals with disabilities experienced nutrition insecurity.

Aspiring teachers and STEM professionals encouraged to apply for scholarships

San Diego Education Fund had opened its 2024 scholarship application period Nov. 6.

High school seniors in the San Diego Unified School District who meet eligibility requirements and are interested in pursuing careers as teachers or STEM professionals are encouraged to apply.

Since 2000, San Diego Education Fund has invested nearly $4 million to support the college educations of low-income, ethnically-diverse students. Scholarships cover tuition and other costs from the first day of college through graduation. Along the way, recipients receive counseling, mentoring and team building to steer them toward success.

Many San Diego Education Fund scholars are the first in their families to attend college.

To date, more than 400 recipients are working or have worked at San Diego Unified School District campuses.

Food and Drink

Cocktail and karaoke bar ‘Gaslamplighter’ to open soon

 Gaslamplighter, San Diego’s highly anticipated luxury cocktail and karaoke lounge, announced the appointment of David Tye to lead beverage program developer. With an impressive career spanning two decades in the bar and restaurant industry, Tye is a celebrated San Diego cocktail connoisseur, renowned for his commitment to crafting top-of-the-line beverage programs and delivering elevated guest experiences.

Gaslamplighter is slated to open later this year. Located at 536 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Gaslamplighter will be open Thursday through Sunday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

Ugly sweater décor at Nason’s Beer Hall

“Deck The Halls” at Nason’s Beer Hall with Tipsy Elves until January 1, 2024. This season, in partnership with popular ugly sweater company Tipsy Elves, Nason’s Beer Hall is once again decking the halls with the jolliest, brightest, over-the-top décor. Join in on the festive merriment with frosty beers, jolly cocktails, and tasty bites. A portion of proceeds from the three seasonal signature Tipsy Elves cocktails — Tipsy and Toasted, Tipsy and Bright and Extra Tipsy — will also benefit the San Diego Food Bank.

First west coast location of ‘70s bar to open in Gaslamp

Urban Property Group (UPG), a real estate services firm specializing in urban commercial properties, has secured the lease of 12,000 square feet for ‘70s themed restaurant/bar, Good Night John Boy at 401 G Street in Downtown San Diego. The establishment takes over the space previously occupied by The Tin Roof and is slated to open in early Spring 2024. Between now and the end of December, the space will be a Christmas-themed pop-up bar. In January 2024, renovations will commence for Good Night John Boy.

Located in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter nightlife district, the vintage nightclub concept is the first Good Night John Boy on the west coast and the fifth location in the nation. The nostalgic theme is a vibrant blast to the past featuring disco balls, an LED dance floor, ‘70s era music and more.