Editor’s note: This is one of seven issue-focused voter’s guides based on data from the City College Community Agenda. Check back often for the rest of the guides and the latest City Times Media election-related news and information.
Although Atticus Klatt is still in high school, he sees housing and homelessness in San Diego as relevant to all residents.
“Housing is a big one,” Klatt said to City Times Media in April. “How do we deal with the homeless? How steep of an entry it is for first-time homeowners. Affordable housing (is also an issue).”
28% of San Diego City College students responding to a 2023 RealCollege survey reported experiencing homelessness and 68% reported housing insecurity. Both of these numbers were the highest in the San Diego Community College District, according to the survey’s executive summary, discussed at an April 2024 SDCCD special board meeting.
The City College Community Agenda compiles the responses to a survey completed by students, faculty, staff and community members. It is designed to identify issues and elicit questions that City Times Media reporters use to engage political candidates and focus their election reporting.
To the respondents, the topic of housing and homelessness includes housing affordability and accessibility, along with having rent-controlled living situations. They also value finding a solution for the mass unsheltered community in San Diego.
These housing and homelessness issues that community members emphasized also overlap with other topics mentioned such as economy and taxes, climate change and the environment, as well as the college affordability and access categories.
Below is the City Times Media voter’s guide for housing and homelessness.
State Propositions:
Proposition 5
Prop 5 allows the approval of local infrastructure and housing bonds in low- or middle-class neighborhoods in California, with 55% of the vote being for it.- Official Voter Information Guide
Fiscal Impact:
Local governments and voters can decide to borrow more money to fund affordable housing, supportive housing, and public infrastructure. This borrowing would be repaid through higher property taxes. – Official Voter Information Guide
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Proposition 33
This proposition aims to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, which currently prevents cities from setting limits on the initial rent prices for new tenants and on rent increases for existing tenants in certain types of housing. – Official California Voter Guide
- Proposition 33 – Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute – California SOS
- Ballotpedia: California Proposition 33, Prohibit State Limitations on Local Rent Control Initiative (2024)
Fiscal Impacts:
An expansion of rent control in some communities could reduce local property tax revenues by at least tens of millions of dollars each year. – Official California Voter Guide
