Last month, we cut ribbons on Talmadge Gateway and Cypress Apartments — two affordable-housing projects that will provide a combined 122 new homes in San Diego for struggling seniors and people who have been chronically homeless. At Talmadge Gateway, we met Marvina and Michael — two local seniors who expressed profound relief to finally have roofs over their heads and the chance to lead a stable life after years of instability.

Projects like these are critical as housing has become increasingly unaffordable.

Virtually every Californian can attest to the increased cost of living we have seen in recent years.

Since 2000, the median rent in the San Diego region has spiked by 36 percent. However, the median household income for renters has risen just 4 percent. Our lowest-income earners spend nearly 70 percent of their income on housing and, to meet the current demand from the middle and working class, we would need to build 142,000 rental homes.


The new Talmadge Gateway project on Euclid Avenue just north of El Cajon Blvd. gives 59 former homeless seniors a place to call home with all the supportive services that they need for a healthy life. (San Diego Union-Tribune photo)

The problem on its surface is supply-and-demand economics: We’re simply not building enough housing.

What is being built is disproportionately for high-income residents. In fact, we’re meeting 128 percent of the demand for luxury housing but only 18 percent of the demand for middle-income housing and 22 percent for low-income. This is the real problem.


But there is good news.

There has never been a stronger sense of urgency to take action.

San Diego’s elected officials and housing advocates have rolled up their sleeves and are working on solutions. For its part, the state Legislature is taking a two-pronged approach: funding and regulatory reform. Three bills reflect this strategy: Senate Bill (SB) 2, SB 3, and SB 35.

SB 2 — the Building Homes and Jobs Act — would create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing. By charging a $75 fee when certain real estate documents are filed with the county, SB 2 would generate roughly $250 million each year to provide homes for struggling families. The new fee would typically be paid by a bank or developer and would exempt all property sales.


Over a five-year period, with an additional $4.6 billion in expected leveraged funding, SB 2 would result in more than 20,000 new homes and nearly 57,000 jobs. So, in addition to ending housing instability for thousands of families, it would generate significant economic activity statewide.

SB 3 — the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018 — would provide $3 billion in one-time funding for housing programs throughout the state. With voter approval, California will issue grants to assist in the creation of rental housing for low-income Californians.

Overall, SB 3 could inject needed funds into our communities to help spur an immediate uptick in construction.

SB 35 — the Housing Accountability and Affordability Act — would streamline the approval process for projects in cities not complying with state-mandated housing goals at all affordability levels.


Every community must be part of the solution, and for those not producing their fair share of housing, SB 35 will fast-track the approval process and make it easier for projects that meet current planning standards to be built. The bill is similar to what Gov. Jerry Brown had in mind when he urged housing reform.

Regulatory reform and funding are integral components of a solution. We’re grateful for the support of a coalition of groups — Realtors, apartment owners, labor advocates, environmentalists, business organizations — that know this comprehensive package will make tremendous strides in addressing all sides of the crisis.

We’re also pleased to have the support of the governor, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, who have pledged to address the housing crisis through funding and regulatory reform when the Legislature returns on Monday from summer recess.

SB 2, SB 3, and SB 35 have passed the Senate and are on their way to a vote in the Assembly. We know our legislative colleagues understand the scope of the crisis. To alleviate it, we need them to stand with us and vote yes on these crucial bills.


Solving this far-reaching problem won’t be easy, and the state Legislature can’t do it alone.

Local governments — and local residents — play a leading role when it comes to meeting the housing needs of individual communities.

We understand the desire to protect local control in land-use decisions, but if we don’t build more housing where it makes good sense, there will be negative economic and social consequences that will affect us all. Too many are already feeling these impacts, and now it is time to act.

Atkins represents the state Senate’s 39th District. Gloria represents the state Assembly’s 78th District.