SAN DIEGO–Preliminary results from The San Diego Foundation’s Our Greater San Diego Vision survey indicate that 72% of San Diegans place attainable housing as their most important personal concern for the future.
The ShowYourLoveSD.org survey generated more than 30,000 responses from San Diegans, representing diverse demographics including age, ethnicity, religion and geography. The survey generated more than 71,000 individual modules regarding issues ranging from education, community and cultural amenities, jobs and economic growth, to future land use and planning scenarios for San Diego.
“San Diegans were offered four scenarios regarding the impact of housing on our future lives,” said Bill Geppert, Chair of Our Greater San Diego Vision. “The survey indicated that 43% of San Diegans envision a community with more capacity and people closer to jobs, housing, and recreation. Our population desires a mix of housing that offer choices.” He added, “An additional 38% recognized the need to shift toward townhomes and more compact development as our population increases by approximately 1.3 million residents over the next 40 years.
“This certainly is not a surprise,” said Geppert, “considering our current economic situation in San Diego County which has seen so many communities impacted by the housing crisis. We are still experiencing reduction of home value, loss of equity, and challenges in qualifying for loans. This makes home ownership a top concern for the average citizen.”
The survey showed that support for more attainable housing is as high as 84% among Hispanics and those with an average income of less than $50,000. Support for attainable housing was as high as 90% among those who reside in San Diego’s South County, North Inland or the region’s unincorporated area.
Susan Reynolds, president and CEO of Community Housing works, noted, “Housing that’s affordable in the future is really about our children. It’s as simple as that.” She added, “We’re in the process of electing public officials that will lead us for the next four years. We need to use our passion and forethought in this moment of choice to help us achieve our vision.”
Bob Kelly, president and CEO of The San Diego Foundation stated, “The survey results indicate a strong inclination from a diverse demographic, young and old, male and female, and all ethnicities to keep our community looking much like it is today, even if we’re a little more condensed. There’s a genuine and overwhelming desire to participate in the conversation of what San Diego will look like over the next 40 years.”
The completed Our Greater San Diego Vision document will be presented in mid-July 2012, at which time The San Diego Foundation’s newly formed Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement will convene to evaluate the results, engage business, government and community partners, and serve in a catalytic role for community problem solving, civic education, leadership training, and policy analysis.
“This vast array of voices,” said Kelly, “deeply encourages us as we build a strong and vital Our Greater San Diego Vision.”
