Housing
Homelessness Program Accountability Measure Clears 2nd Hurdle
Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilkannounced that his legislation to add clarity and accountability to California’s efforts to address homelessness has earned bipartisan support and recently passed 4 to 0 out of the Senate Committee on Human Services. “I am pleased to see this measure receive bipartisan support. There seems to be a growing consensus that […]
20 Years Later, “Enron by the Sea” Still Awash in Duplicity
By Kate Callen When a 2002 whistleblower’s report unleashed the city’s massive pension fund scandal, and San Diego was branded “Enron by the Sea,” humiliated city leaders vowed to clean up their accounting practices and operate in full view. Two decades later, a new generation of city leaders is devising new ways of fudging data […]
California State Auditor Releases Scathing Report on Regional Housing Needs Assessment
On March 17, Michael S. Tilden, the Acting California State Auditor, issued a blistering critique of the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and its Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA). The Auditor found problems in the HCD methodology that may have inflated RHNA requirements by hundreds of thousands of housing units. The Auditor concludes […]
District 3 Citizens Express Frustration During Zoom Meeting with Councilman Whitburn
After several attempts to talk to someone from Councilman Stephen Whitburn’s office, I elected to participate in a Zoom meeting with him that was initiated by his office. I thought, “Maybe I can talk to him directly since calls and emails to his office are going unanswered.” By the way, I should mention, the reason […]
Big Plans for Revitalization of the UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center
As we all know, change is inevitable. And sometimes adversity builds character. Recently, many of you shared with me that you would like to be a part of the planning process and the discussions on developments happening in your community. With that in mind, a Mission Hills neighbor shared with me information on a […]
Uptown for All Candidates Win Uptown Planners’ Election
Candidates Express Their Gratitude It’s official! Matt Brown, Tony Silvia, and Patty Ducey-Brooks have been elected to the board of Uptown Planners. Thanks to residents and business owners in Mission Hills, Middletown, Hillcrest, University Heights, Bankers Hill, Marston Hills, and the Medical Complex who came to the election sites to vote this past month. You […]
Uptown For All: Candidates for Uptown Planners
Uptown Planners is the local Community Planning Group which serves in an advisory role to the city. This board consist of 17 citizens elected by the residents and business owners of Uptown, which includes Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, University Heights, Mission Hills, Middletown, the Medical Complex, and Marston Hills. Upcoming Election Three excellent candidates have come […]
Affordable Housing at What Cost
by Paul Krueger A new definition of “affordable housing”: $2,000 monthly rent for a 480 square-foot, one- bedroom, one-bathroom ADU. Building industry consultant admits it’s “absurd, from the stand-point of affordability” The permit application for a multi-unit rental complex on a single-family lot confirms that two of the apartments will be reserved for an affordable […]
A Team Effort to Help the Homeless in Little Italy
Following a recent conversation with Marco LiMandri, chief executive administrator of the Little Italy Association, and Donnie Dee, president and CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission, I learned of a team approach that they have initiated to support those experiencing homelessness in Little Italy. Their goal is to have fewer people calling the sidewalks of Little […]
Safdie Rabines Architects
By Ginny Ollis One of Mission Hills greatest treasures is her people – historically, neighborly, and leading positive. Jose Ricardo Rabines and Taal Safdie, architects situated in the building at 925 Fort Stockton, quietly but with enormous effect, are bringing their design skills and conscientious purpose to our community, state, and world. A visit to […]
