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Council approves 10-year lease with YWCA to continue transitional housing services
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Summary
The council approved a 10-year lease (with a 15-year extension option) allowing the YWCA of San Diego County to continue operating a city-owned transitional housing facility; staff said annual nonprofit administrative rent is $4,827.50 with 3.5% annual increases and an appraisal valued the property near $3.6 million.
City staff presented and the council approved a lease agreement with the YWCA of San Diego County on April 7, 2026, to preserve transitional housing services at a city-owned site.
Alexandra Clark, property agent with the city—conomic development department, said the proposed agreement is a 10-year lease with a 15-year option to extend, allowing continuity for services the YWCA has provided at the site since 2000. For safety reasons staff noted the exact street location was omitted from the public record because the facility serves clients receiving sensitive services.
Key terms presented by staff: annual rent set at the city dministrative nonprofit fee ($4,827.50) with a 3.5% annual increase; the lessee will cover maintenance, operations and improvements; a September 2025 appraisal valued the property at approximately $3.6 million; staff recommended the agreement be found categorically exempt from CEQA under section 15301.
Public commenters supported the YWCA's continued operation and asked the council to improve oversight and contract management for homelessness services more broadly. Catherine Rhodes and other speakers urged the council to guard against large rent increases in other city-funded housing and to ensure the YWCA arrangement offers long-term stability for residents.
A council motion to approve staff recommendations carried; the clerk recorded the vote during the meeting (voting-system output reported in the record). The lease passed as recorded in the council's public record for the April 7 session.
Quotes: "The lease enables the continued operation of a long-standing high-impact service provider delivering critical housing and supportive services to vulnerable populations," Alexandra Clark said. A public commenter added, "Please pass this item; it's only $56,633 to the general fund and it gives to women who really need your help." (speaker paraphrase.)
Next steps: With council approval, the city attorney and real estate staff will finalize the lease and oversee execution, and the YWCA will continue operations under the new term and rent schedule.
