San Diego Unified School District News Releases: Nearly 3,000 New Affordable Educator Housing Units In Pipeline Due to San Diego Unified’s Vision to Build Affordable Housing For Its Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net

Nearly 3,000 New Affordable Educator Housing Units In Pipeline Due to San Diego Unified's Vision to Build Affordable Housing For Its Staff

Two more affordable workforce housing projects advanced to next stage on Tuesday night by San Diego Unified Board of Education

SAN DIEGO (January 27, 2026) – Two proposals – to develop the Fremont/Ballard Center and Revere Center into affordable educator housing – were approved Tuesday, January 27 by the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. San Diego Unified staff will now complete due diligence and negotiate best-and-final term sheets on four properties, including the two approved on Monday, January 26.

With Tuesday's vote, nearly 3,000 new affordable educator housing units are in the pipeline across six sites due to San Diego Unified's vision to create affordable housing opportunities for up to 10% of District staff.

"Moving these projects forward reflects our will to address one of the greatest challenges facing working families in San Diego and our workforce, housing affordability," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "By advancing negotiations on multiple sites, the Board is helping lay the foundation for housing solutions that support staff stability, strengthen our school communities, and ensure the people who serve our students have a real opportunity to live in the region they serve."

The two proposals approved Tuesday were:

Fremont/Ballard Center - 2375 Congress Street, San Diego 92110

Monarch/Eden

Unit Details: 420 workforce housing units from 30% AMI to market rate
Financial Benefits: $550,000 total guaranteed rent with potential future financial benefits.
Other Potential Benefits: Community garden, pool and rec center. Potential community garden and/or childcare center.

Revere Center - 6735 Gifford Way, San Diego 92111

Community Housing Works

Unit Details: 294 affordable workforce housing units from 30% AMI to 120% AMI
Financial Benefits: $200,000 total guaranteed rent with potential future financial benefits.
Other Potential Benefits: Construct a facility for on-site childcare or district use. Community spaces.

At the Monday, January 26, 2026 workshop, developers who submitted proposals for the Eugene Brucker Education Center and Commercial Street properties presented detailed plans for constructing affordable housing, learn more here and below:

Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St., San Diego CA 92103

Protea + Malick

Unit Details: 1,500 total units from 50% AMI to 120% AMI.

Financial Benefits: Potential future financial benefits.

Other Potential Benefits: Integrate site improvements for a drop-off and pick-up parking area that supports Birney Elementary School. Potential pool for San Diego High student use. Childcare facility. Dog park. Community space/garden.

Commercial Street – 2101 Commercial Street, San Diego CA 92113

Mirka Investment

Unit Details: 174 units of affordable workforce housing from 30% AMI to 80 % AMI

Financial Benefits: $7,500,000 total guaranteed rent with potential future financial benefits.

Other Potential Benefits: Construct a 6,000 square foot childcare facility

On December 10, 2025 the Board of Education approved authorizing staff to complete due diligence and negotiate best-and-final term sheets for the Instructional Media Center – 2441 Cardinal Lane, San Diego 92123

Proposal Selected: Decro Corporation

Unit Details: 107 units of affordable workforce housing

Financial Benefit to San Diego Unified: Estimated $123,029 in annual ground rent revenue, escalating at 2.50% per year. Total ground rent revenue is estimated at $51,789,050 over the proposed 99-year term of the agreement. No District funds required.

On January 28, 2025 the Board of Education approved a term sheet with Affirmed Housing Group, Inc., for Workforce Housing Joint Occupancy Project at Polk Avenue (Former Central Elementary) (Link here)

The Affordable Workforce Housing initiative reflects San Diego Unified's continued commitment to developing housing options that support the recruitment and retention of a strong workforce, while maintaining District ownership of property and ensuring community-oriented outcomes.

For more information about the proposals, workshop agendas, and next steps, please visit the Board of Education section at SanDiegoUnified.org.

###