New homes are an important part of San Diego's economic strength.  Their construction is a life line during economic slow downs.  The home building industry employs more than 165,000 people, and generates $3.2 billion in revenue for the local economy every year! 

Too often, new homes are wrongly blamed for society's problems such as traffic congestion and population growth.  In addition, people are inherently resistant to change, and new homes represent such change.  But new homes respond to the market demand, they do not create demand, and they do not increase population...families do this.

To ensure San Diego has a healthy housing supply, more homes need to be built locally.  This requires community support (not NIMBYism), political will and a commitment from government.  There are ways to help convey this message to city hall and your county and state representatives. 

1)  Tell them we need housing.
Below are direct links to many elected officials in town.  Write them a letter (see sample) urging them to support new homes and to demonstrate real leadership on this issue because it is important to the economy, and you and your children's future.  The following bullet points can be used to craft your letters. 

San Diego is the 6th least affordable place to live in the nation. (based on the 2nd Quarter 2005 Housing Opportunity Index by NAHB)

Average New Home Price – 1st Quarter 2007
Attached: $427,502
Detached: $808,098

Number of New Home Sales
1Q 2007: 2,619
4Q 2006: 2,139
3Q 2006  1,871

SANDAG estimates we need about 18, 000 new homes annually to keep pace with job and population growth.   Only approximately 11,500 has been produced annually for the past few years. San Diego currently has a housing deficit of about 90,000 homes. 

For every 3 new jobs created locally, only 1 new San Diego home is created.  State experts cite 1 to 1.5 as a healthy ratio for the economy. 

San Diego County will experience a population increase of nearly one million residents over the next 30 years. Contrary to previous growth trends, about 60 percent of San Diego’s future population will come from internal growth: more births than deaths. 

62% Of High-Tech and Biotech CEOs Surveyed Said The High Cost Of Housing Poses A Significant Threat To Their Plans For Expansion (Council On Competitiveness, 2000)

Government bureaucracy and red tape has a tremendous financial impact on home construction costs as demonstrated in a report by Louis H. Masotti, Ph.D ‘The Case of the Smith Family House.’  It found that, on average, it consumed 26% of the home price. 

This HOUSING CRISIS does not paint a promising picture for our region’s future.

Rentals are hard to find (vacancy rates are very low)
Children live at home longer
Roommates are doubling up
Families are living with other families
Home prices are skyrocketing
The average rent is more than a mortgage payment
Residents are forced to commute from Temecula (less time with family)
Traffic is worsened by the commuting

Click here for a list of 26 professional recommendations on how to make housing more available and more affordable.

ELECTED OFFICIAL EMAIL OR WEBSITES

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa
U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis
U.S. Congressman Bob Filner
U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
California Senator Denise Ducheny
California Senator Jim Battin
California Senator Bill Morrow
California Senator Christine Kehoe
California Assembly Member Shirley Horton
California Assembly Member Mark Wyland
California Assembly Member George Plescia
California Assembly Member Jay LaSuer 
California Assembly Member Lori Saldana
California Assembly Member Juan Vargas
California Assembly Member Mark Wyland
SD City Council President Scott Peters
SD City Councilmember Toni Atkins
SD City Councilmember Brian Maienschein
SD City Councilmember Jim Madaffer
SD City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer
SD City Councilmember  Ben Hueso
City of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders
County Supervisor Ron Roberts
County Supervisor Greg Cox
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob
County Supervisor  Pam Slater
County Supervisor  Bill Horn

2)  Show up in person.
Often, there are important government hearings on housing issues. Community input is key.  The elected officials need to hear from their constituents. They need to see your face and hear your voice.  It makes a big difference.  It says you care enough to show up in person.  When these hearings are scheduled, we will post them on this page.  If you have questions about the hearings, you will be able to email us at educate@biasd.org.

3)  Write the media  
Because newspapers, television and radio have such widespread audiences, they are often the most efficient way to get your message out.  Even if your letter is not printed or aired, it can still affect the way the issues are presented by the media. 

Use the form below to write to the editors of our local newspapers, radio stations, and television stations. 

Be sure to visit these companies' websites to learn about their respective submission policies. In general, your letter can be edited if the editor chooses to do so.  In addition, most publications will not print your letter unless you provide appropriate contact information.

4)  Tell us your story and we use it in our education efforts as evidence of the housing need.
 

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