Building on the highly successful gap-financing initiative that helps create more affordable homes, the City of San Diego announced this week that it is investing an additional $16.5 million for the Bridge to Home program. This latest investment adds to the $123 million already allocated to expedite the construction of 2,676 affordable homes across 28 projects. 

“San Diego is continuing to make tangible progress on building more affordable housing,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This $16.5 million investment in the City’s Bridge to Home program provides the gap financing needed to move more projects closer to construction and deliver affordable homes sooner. This will support working families, seniors, and San Diegans at risk of homelessness.”  

This week, the City issued a notice of funding availability (NOFA) for Round Seven of Bridge to Home, which allows qualified developers to submit proposals for how they would use the funding to create low- to moderate-income units. Bridge to Home provides gap financing to make affordable housing projects a reality, as these projects typically require a combination of funding sources, including from local, state and federal programs. Each recommended project is subject to City Council consideration and approval. 

Of the $16.5 million in this round of Bridge to Home funding, $12 million is derived from former redevelopment funds, which are restricted to creating new housing, including site improvements and construction. 

The remaining $4.5 million comes from State Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds, which support the new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of homes for persons experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness and those with household incomes at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI). 

Applications will be evaluated on several factors, including project feasibility and community benefits. Projects with on-site day care, or located in Moderate to Highest Resource Areas, or developers who team with emerging developers, can receive bonus points. 

Qualified developers must submit their applications by April 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. More information on a pre-submittal meeting and the application timeline can be found in the NOFA.  

“We are excited to continue contributing financing to this program, which has already proven effective in removing barriers to housing for all income levels — especially for low-income households and individuals experiencing homelessness,” said Economic Development Director Christina Bibler. “Over the past five years, we’ve seen its proven success in accelerating housing production, revitalizing neighborhoods and ensuring equitable access to homes for all San Diegans.” 

Since Mayor Gloria launched the Bridge to Home program in 2021, five of the 28 projects, totaling 390 affordable homes, have been completed. Of those homes, 146 include supportive services and are set aside for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These projects are:

• Jacaranda on 9th in Downtown
• Ventana al Sur in San Ysidro
• The Iris at San Ysidro in San Ysidro
• Serenade on 43rd in City Heights
• PATH Villas El Cerrito in El Cerrito  

Eighteen other projects are currently under construction or have received City Council approval for Bridge to Home funding. They include 1,667 new affordable homes, 276 of which have supportive services. An additional 188 homes that do not include supportive services will serve vulnerable individuals and families at 30% to 40% of the AMI. 

In December 2025, the City announced it was recommending $15 million toward 528 new affordable homes across four projects. In addition to 66 homes with supportive services, the projects also include a childcare center, community open space and one is part of a larger campus project that will bring a health clinic, supportive services and other resources to our most vulnerable populations downtown. Funding for those projects, along with one other previous project that includes 91 affordable homes, is expected to go before City Council individually for approval in the coming months.