County contributes $12.5 million to new supportive housing, approves new sites

San Diego County supervisors have voted unanimously to back projects that will lead to more than 300 new units of affordable or supportive housing.

This week they voted provide $12.5 million to an 81-unit permanent supportive housing development at 7798 Starling Drive in San Diego.

The housing will support veterans and people living with behavioral health challenges who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

The contribution, approved on Tuesday, will help fund renovations and about $5.5 million for ongoing operating costs, including supporting 40 units for people with behavioral health conditions.

County support of prior Homekey efforts has resulted in 616 supportive units across six developments in the City of San Diego:

• Valley Vista Apartments, 192 units.
• Kearny Vista Apartments, 144 units.
• PATH Villas El Cerrito, 41 units.
• The Shore at North Beach, 13 units.
• Pacific Village, 63 units.
• Presidio Palms, 163 units.

The housing commission identified the Starling Drive location as a potential Homekey+ development. The existing property was renovated in 2022, converting an office building into 90 residential units that are currently being used as short-term vacation rentals.

The Board of Supervisors also on Wednesday approved placing two affordable housing projects on county-owned surplus land in Escondido and San Diego.

One development, at 5202 University Ave. in Colina del Sol, will feature 90 units for senior residents. The second, with 134 units catering to seniors and families, is planned at 620 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido.

The San Diego Community Housing Corporation and National Community Renaissance of California are set to develop the Escondido project, which will also feature a 5,800-square-foot child care center that will be open to the public, according to the county.

“We’re housing some of the region’s most vulnerable populations,” said Ted Miyahara, president of the housing corporation.

The University Avenue site sits next to Casa Colina, an affordable housing development owned by the San Diego Housing Commission. Officials said they plan to rehabilitate Casa Colina over the next few years.

Since 2017, San Diego County has invested more than $325 million into affordable housing, using excess land, its Innovative Housing Trust Fund, and other state, federal, and local funding sources administered by the county.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Updated 4:35 p.m. May 7, 2025