The Board of Supervisors today supported Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s policy for the County to collaborate with the City of San Diego to investigate possible County involvement in an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) for the Midway Rising site, and Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) credit sharing models for the affordable housing units.

Passing the policy on Tuesday does not commit the County to any funding or support. Any opportunity to support an EIFD for the site will be brought back to the Board of Supervisors for a decision. A potential EIFD would only capture new property tax growth from the developed project site created by this multi-billion dollar private investment. It would not affect how existing property taxes are distributed to school districts, city and county programs. 

After today’s vote, Supervisor Lawson-Remer issued the following statement:

“Agreeing to explore partnering with the City was the right thing to do for the existing residents of the Midway District, the future residents, and for the future of affordable housing in San Diego County,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer. “This is the first of many steps to determine our involvement, and I am pleased my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors see the opportunity that could exist with this vision for affordable housing in District 3.”

City officials and other regional leaders were quick to react to the news, praising Supervisor Lawson-Remer and her colleagues on the Board of Supervisors. 

“We’re grateful to have the County of San Diego’s partnership in exploring the creation of a special district to fund public infrastructure in the area to improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety, among other benefits,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Working together, we will have the opportunity to transform Midway into a vibrant neighborhood and support our region's commitment to deliver 10,000 affordable homes in the next decade.”

“The potential benefits of redeveloping the City’s Sports Arena property extend far beyond providing our region with a new sports and entertainment venue,” said San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. “There could be considerable regional economic benefits and the addition of 2,000 affordable homes — which would make for the largest affordable housing development in California — would be a major step in addressing one of San Diego’s greatest needs. With the County’s support to explore participation of an EIFD with the City, we can make meaningful progress on our shared goal of creating quality, dignified, safe, stable, and affordable housing opportunities for all San Diegans."

“For those residents and business owners that live and work in the Midway neighborhood, today's action by the Board of Supervisors to join the City in the exploration of an EIFD for the Midway Rising redevelopment project is greatly appreciated,” said San Diego City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell. “The City and County have the opportunity to support the investment in infrastructure needed to build a world-class entertainment destination with thousands of new affordable and market-rate homes that will ignite new growth and development in the entire Midway community.”

Supervisor Lawson-Remer’s team has been tracking the progress of the Midway Rising project and on March 11, 2024 at the San Diego City Council meeting they discussed potential financing structures to support the Midway Rising project, including the City’s intention to engage the County of San Diego in their exploration. The Supervisor decided it was better to get involved sooner rather than later to give the County a greater voice in the project outcomes, and how they impact the residents of Midway District, an area she represents on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.   

In 2022, the County and City held a joint meeting where they agreed to work together to build 10,000 affordable homes by 2030. Supervisor Lawson-Remer views Midway Rising project as progress toward meeting that goal, and possibly a change to lift up the County’s RHNA numbers. The County of San Diego has doubled the pace of homebuilding and tripled the pace of building permits and is on pace to exceed its state-mandated RHNA housing target by 60% by the 2029 deadline. 

The County and its residents would benefit from a collaboration with the City in several ways:

• 2,000 deed-restricted affordable homes

  • All units capped 80% and below or the Area Median Income, for example approximately $878 to $2,342 per month for a 2-bedroom unit.

• Affordable housing will include a diversity of unit types and sizes, the current proposed mix includes:

  • 60% families

  • 25% one-bedroom

  • 50% two-bedroom

  • 25% three-bedroom

  • 15% seniors

  • 15% veterans

  • 10% permanent supportive housing (200 units)

• 8,500 new jobs – all construction jobs are covered under a project labor agreement, and permanent jobs operated and maintained by San Diego working families.

• On-site childcare, healthcare, and job training academy.

• 13 acres of public parks, plazas, and open spaces.

• Public infrastructure investment and neighborhood improvements

To read the entire policy, click here.