San Diego has a shortage of affordable housing, and city officials may ask homeowners to help solve the problem.
The San Diego Housing Commission recently considered the idea of making affordable loans available to homeowners, if they would agree to build so-called “granny flats” on their property, and then rent them out.
The plan would enable those who qualify to rent affordable housing, while the additional income would help the property owners pay off their mortgages. “Granny flats” are also called “mother-in-law suites” or “granny suites” and are completely self-contained housing units located on private property. The unit has no connection to the main house.
The chief of staff of the housing commission, Jeff Davis, said having homeowners build such units would make more housing available more quickly than if traditional construction methods are used, plus these small dwellings have a lower environmental impact.
The idea may have been suggested by a similar measure under consideration in the suburb of Poway, where Steve Vaus, the mayor, suggested Poway pay for granny flats to be built in backyards, and then rented out as affordable units. Poway would receive a portion of the rent for a period of approximately 10 years, then all the rent would revert to the homeowner.
The commission has not developed the plan in detail, but feels sure loans could be offered next year if all goes well. Officials can use flyer printing to make residents aware of measures like this.