Rental assistance Rentalassistance 01032023 0013
San Diego, California – Hundreds of vulnerable families across San Diego County are at risk of losing their rental assistance after the federal government announced the early termination of a pandemic-era emergency housing voucher program. This decision, made by the Trump administration, could leave roughly 700 households without financial support, intensifying the region’s ongoing housing crisis.
The San Diego Housing Commission, which oversees housing assistance for 17,000 city households, is scrambling to find alternative resources to keep affected families housed. Lisa Jones, the commission’s CEO, recently met with members of San Diego’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to discuss possible solutions.
“I have to be really frank that we just do not have a clear understanding right now with the communication we’ve received from the federal government about how long we will be able to continue this program or how long our funding will last,” Jones said. “Our team is already working to see how we can find other resources to support these families.”
The emergency housing voucher program, established under the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, was initially expected to last until at least 2030, with potential funding continuing until 2035. It provided critical rental assistance to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as well as survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.
In San Diego, the program serves some of the region’s most financially vulnerable residents, with participating families earning an average annual income of $16,000—well below the poverty line for a family of four.
Four of San Diego County’s six housing agencies have received these federal vouchers, collectively distributing at least $18 million in rental assistance each year. However, a notice sent earlier this month from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informed public housing agencies that they should not expect additional funding for these vouchers.
“Without this rental assistance, many of these families will be unable to pay their rent and likely will become homeless,” said Scott Marshall, a spokesperson for the San Diego Housing Commission. He added that officials are actively exploring ways to bridge the funding gap.
The situation is particularly dire as San Diego faces a growing homelessness crisis. Each month, more people in the county become homeless than those who successfully secure housing. In the city, where the majority of the county’s unhoused population resides, nearly 90% of shelter requests go unmet due to a lack of available space.
Other local housing authorities, including those in National City and Oceanside, are also preparing for the fallout of the funding cuts. The San Diego County Housing Authority, which supports over 200 families with the program, expects to continue operations into next year but remains uncertain about long-term viability.
Carlos Aguirre, director of the National City Housing Authority, emphasized the program’s importance for his community, where 32 households depend on this assistance. “We have seen the positive impact of providing stable housing in their lives,” Aguirre said.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego, the region’s largest poverty law firm, is advising housing agencies on possible adjustments to extend funding, though this could mean reducing the number of families served or the amount of assistance provided.
“Right now, the outlook is a little grim,” said Gil Vera, the firm’s deputy director.
The final HUD payment for the program is expected next month, leaving officials and affected families in a race against time to find alternative solutions.
