SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors and San Diego City Council met Monday morning in a rare joint-summit to discuss how the bodies can collaborate to increase the supply of affordable housing in the region.
The meeting went on for nearly three hours and was held at San Diego State University. Both bodies of government voted in favor of a resolution to build 10,000 more affordable housing units by 2030.
Local leaders agreed to look at building affordable units on government-owned land.
Several speakers spoke during the public comment portion.
"I have three kids, I'm a local, born and raised in San Diego," said Robert German. "Everybody in my family and extended family have moved. They simply cannot afford [to live] here and they are college graduates."
The last time the city and county met together was April 25, 2000.
"In most cases, the cities have their responsibilities, and the county has its responsibilities. But when we look at the affordable housing situation in our region, it is time for us to start thinking about these problems together, in a way that makes the most efficient use of our resources," said Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher. "Both entities want the same outcomes, so we must take a holistic approach and determine how we can support each other's efforts to increase the region's housing supply."
"San Diegans deserve government that owns our responsibilities and collaborates to solve problems," said San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. "This meeting is a first step in addressing our shared issues and striving for our shared goals. Our collaboration has the potential to unlock great opportunities to make housing more affordable for San Diegans."
The bodies met in San Diego State's Montezuma Hall and included presentations by a local affordable housing expert, a philanthropic organization and the San Diego Housing Commission.
WATCH RELATED: San Diego Unified looks to offer affordable housing for educators (Sept. 2022).