San Diego

In March, San Diego residents will have the opportunity to vote on the future of affordable housing development Newland Sierra. The project includes a deed-restriction that requires the project include 60% affordably priced units. The covenant is unique and legally binding, meaning that if passed, Measure B will be a guarantee of new affordable housing.

"Measure B will provide affordably-priced housing options for working families in San Diego County, all guaranteed through a legally binding covenant recorded as a restriction on the deed of the property," Rita Brandin, SVP and development director of Newland, tells GlobeSt.com. "This legally enforceable covenant guarantees that 60% of the new homes will be priced affordably for working families and seniors and that 10% of those homes will be affordably priced rentals for low and very low-income families."

This covenant is the first in San Diego, and according to the developer, it is a solid agreement cannot be changed. "Most importantly, the terms of this covenant related to the guarantee of affordable housing cannot be changed; and they can be enforced legally by any community partner or stakeholder, including nonprofit leaders, affordable housing advocates, public safety officials and others," says Brandin.