San Diego, October 9, 2025
News Summary
San Diego has made significant progress in housing development, permitting 31,458 homes since the current administration began. However, competition from cities like New York and Dallas remains a challenge. The city is focused on affordable housing, yet the demand for new homes continues to outpace supply, showcasing ongoing issues with housing affordability and meeting residents’ needs.
San Diego’s Housing Progress Evident Amidst National Construction Permit Competition
San Diego has recently demonstrated significant progress in housing development under the leadership of Mayor Todd Gloria. Over the last four years, Gloria’s administration has permitted a total of 31,458 homes, marking a notable achievement in addressing the city’s housing needs. In 2024 alone, the city has permitted 8,782 new homes, which Gloria described as a remarkably strong year, showcasing a trend of increased housing permits.
This current figure is nearly 11,000 more homes permitted than during the previous four-year period, illustrating a commitment to expanding the housing supply. However, a new report indicates that while San Diego is making progress, other cities are outpacing it in new construction permits. The report focuses on apartment buildings with 50 units or more, where San Diego has permitted approximately 4,700 larger residential units this year.
In comparison, cities such as New York and Dallas are permitting around 29,000 to 30,000 apartment units each. Denver is also ahead with over 12,000 units being permitted, which exceeds San Diego’s total for larger buildings. The information presented comes from a report sourced by a software technology company that tracks commercial real estate trends.
Despite the competitive landscape, local experts have acknowledged that San Diego is performing well compared to other California cities. However, officials pointed out that California’s stricter building regulations create challenges for direct comparisons with cities in other states. The construction process in San Diego often takes longer due to regulatory requirements, including coastal height restrictions that limit building heights near the ocean to 30 feet.
Despite these challenges, Gloria’s administration has made changes to speed up the permitting process, managing to double the average number of permits issued compared to the last 20 years. City officials emphasized that San Diego’s housing record is significantly better than other major cities in California, with a strong focus on affordable housing and addressing housing crises within the city.
San Diego’s progress includes permitting the highest number of homes in two decades, offering varied opportunities for different segments of the population. Areas including Uptown, Navajo, Kearny Mesa, Downtown, North Park, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Clairemont have seen the highest number of permits issued.
Additionally, Mayor Gloria’s executive order mandates an expedited review of 100% affordable housing projects, allowing for quicker approvals within 30 days. Nevertheless, the city’s current efforts still fall short of the demand outlined in the city’s Housing Element. This plan calls for roughly 108,000 new homes over eight years. Analysis reveals that only one in ten county residents can afford a median-priced home, indicating ongoing issues with housing affordability.
With more than half of renters in San Diego considered housing-burdened, and nearly two-thirds of residents expressing a desire to leave the area due to high living costs, there is a clear need for more strategies to improve housing affordability in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What housing achievements has San Diego made recently?
Gloria’s administration has permitted a total of 31,458 homes in his first four years, and in 2024 alone, permitted 8,782 new homes.
How does San Diego’s housing permit numbers compare to other cities?
In 2024, San Diego has permitted approximately 4,700 larger residential units, while cities like New York and Dallas are permitting around 29,000 to 30,000 apartment units each.
What challenges does San Diego face in housing construction?
California’s stricter building regulations and coastal height restrictions are major challenges that prolong the construction process.
What is the demand for housing in San Diego?
The city’s Housing Element calls for roughly 108,000 new homes over eight years, and many residents face affordability issues.
What measures has the city implemented to speed up housing approvals?
Gloria’s executive order requires expedited review of 100% affordable housing projects, allowing for quicker approvals within 30 days.
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Key Features of San Diego’s Housing Progress
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Homes Permitted (4 Years) | 31,458 |
| Homes Permitted (2024) | 8,782 |
| Larger Units Permitted (2024) | 4,700 |
| Homes Required over 8 Years | 108,000 |
| Median-priced Home Affordability | 1 in 10 county residents can afford |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- 10 News
- Wikipedia: Housing Development
- Planetizen
- Google Search: San Diego housing
- Governing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
- Times of San Diego
- Google News: San Diego housing development
Author: Construction CA News
CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER The CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructioncanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in California and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rose Parade, Coachella, Comic-Con, and the California State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the California Building Industry Association and Associated General Contractors of California, plus leading businesses in technology and entertainment that power the local economy such as Apple and Alphabet. As part of the broader network, including constructionnynews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape across multiple states.
