MY TEAM'S SURVEY OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS April 2025
In April 2025 we visited and/or called 19 newer hi-rise apartment buildings built using density bonus exemptions. We expected 10% or 500 of the units would be affordable, not a measly 4%, 200 units.
REAL NUMBERS: 4,891 total units, 202 units were designated "affordable" with a studio renting for $1,722.
Out of 4,891 units, only 10 "low income" units were available in April, 2025. The waiting lists for "affordable" were full.
Why is there a major shortage of "affordable housing" when builders are getting density bonus waivers?
Builders are in this business to make money. A big building with 100's of units is more profitable than a small building. Luxury rents are more profitable than affordable.
To earn the waivers, all that's required is to provide 4% deeded low income units, or pay "in-lieu" fees to fund a basic building in a cheaper location.
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Our city leaders cry "housing crisis." The real reason they want the new, big buildings is money. Not to pay for repairing roads. For themselves.
Politicians want to keep their jobs and collect fat pensions. A few dream of power in higher office. More money.
Construction of high rises keeps trade unions workers in high paying jobs. Trades donate to and vote for politicians who keep approving density bonus waivers.
2025 HOUSING SURVEY DETAILS 19 Buildings/4,891 apartments/200 low-income
ONE MULTI-BUILDING WITH AVAILABLE AFFORDABLE RENTALS:
Buildings 1-3: The PINNACLE: 484 units, 51 affordable, 10 available $1,722/mo. [HOA fees waived. HOA for a 1 bedroom = $1,714/mo.] (2026)
IF YOU REALLY NEED AN AFFORDABLE RENTAL YOU'LL NEVER GET ONE IN THESE BUILDINGS
Building 4: The Nash, 190 units, 10 affordable, 20 names on wait list
Building 5: Mode, 111 units, 10 affordable, 60 names on wait list
Building 6: Palisades, 300 units, 30 affordable, 140 names on wait list
Building 7: The Ava, 100 units, 10 affordable, 100 names on wait list https://www.avaloncommunities.com/california/san-diego-apartments/ava-balboa-park-affordable-program/ Building
Building 8: 525 Olive, 204 units, 18 affordable, 200 names on wait list, they wouldn't take a friend's name
5 BUILDINGS DON'T HAVE A WAIT LIST
Building 9: Strauss on 5th, 140 units, 6 affordable, 0 available, no wait list Building 10: Strata, 163 units, 14 affordable, 0 available, no wait list Building 11: Park 12, 718 units, 23 affordable, 0 available, no wait list Building 12: Simone, 395 units, 30 affordable, 0 available, no wait list Building 13: Sasan 53 units, 0 affordable, all tiny studios
4 BUILDINGS NO AFFORDABLE UNITS
Building 14: Instrata, 199 units, 0 affordable Building 15: Denizen, 151 units, 0 affordable, developer paid in lieu fees Building 16: Park Summit, 265 units, 0 affordable, developer paid in lieu fees Building 17: The Lindley 422 units, 0 affordable, developer paid in lieu fees, first 7 floors/60 units Airbnb hotel https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/01/29/apartment-style-hotel-comes-to-little-italy/
2 BUILDINGS ACCEPT SECTION 8
Building 18: Ruby The Society, 145 units to increase to 840, 0 affordable Building 19: The Winslow, 379 units, 0 affordable
2023 was the last Section 8 COL increase 2026 a waitlist freeze took place If rents go up at Section 8 buildings, the low income renter has to suffer
AIRBNB GUESTS In Luxury Buildings!
The new HIGH RISE buildings allow apartments to get rented as Airbnbs.
Greystar Management Company is Airbnb-friendly. A Greystar managed building includes an Airbnb hotel with no front desk, no on-site management. The Airbnb guests get free access to gym, pool and work areas. You get to live with it. https://www.greystar.com
Want to read reviews about high rise apartment buildings in San Diego? Go to Luxury Living section.
San diego housing commission affordable housing san diego best places to live in san diego high rise apartments luxury affordable low rents high rents complete communities san diego city council mayor faulconer mayor gloria ubanization of san diego 52 unique neighborhoods gentrification density bonus waivers developers @Tootstells adubonus.org neighbors forabettersan diego.org neighborsforabettercalifornia.org wearesandiego.org