Report: San Diego Density Bonus Has Created Hundreds of Affordable Units

Going above and beyond California’s state-level housing density bonus law, San Diego launched its own program to encourage developers to build more affordable units.

1 minute read

April 25, 2022, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Gaslamp Quarter

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

“The cost of buying or renting a home has surged in many urban regions across the U.S. over the past few years, resulting in more people falling behind on rent, being evicted and experiencing homelessness. The rising costs, housing experts say, are largely due to a lack of housing to accommodate population growth.”

To address this growing problem, writes Danielle McLean, “California [enacted] a density bonus law allowing developers to build more units if they designate a certain proportion as affordable. San Diego took that idea a step further in establishing its own enhancement to that law in 2016, allowing developers to build even more units when they include a higher number of affordable ones.”

A new report from Circulate San Diego reveals that the program was used in projects that created over 6,000 housing units. “And from 2016 to 2020, it was used to create 463 deed-restricted affordable homes in mixed-income projects, financed primarily without relying on public subsidy.” Of these, 95 percent were located within a half mile of a “high-performing” transit stop. 

“The city has also been regularly updating its building codes, taking into account feedback about where in the permitting process projects get hung up and how to streamline those processes, said [Heidi Vonblum, San Diego's planning director].”

Thursday, April 21, 2022 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today