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Housing Commission reports flood recovery progress; Housing Authority updates procurement policy
Summary
The San Diego Housing Commission reported progress on a flood recovery program (232 applications received, 50 households approved to date and a new one-time lump-sum assistance option up to $15,100). The Housing Authority also approved an update to the SDHC procurement policy and authorized a housing commission loan program action.
San Diego Housing Commission Executive Director Lisa Jones reported to the City Council and Housing Authority on July 30 that the Flood Recovery Program is operating and that staff introduced a new direct‑assistance option to help households displaced by the January floods.
Jones said SDHC had received 232 unduplicated applications from the county’s referral list of 359 eligible families, with 50 households approved and more than $268,000 dispersed for hotel assistance, move costs, storage and similar needs. An additional 128 households are pre‑approved and have received letters indicating potential gap assistance. The program now offers a one‑time lump‑sum payment option up to $15,100 for eligible households who cannot meet typical lease requirements; staff will prioritize older adults, households with disabilities and families with children.
Jones also reviewed housing search assistance and home restoration work coordinated with the Harvey Family Foundation; 13 homes are under contract for rehabilitation and the program has generated more than 1,200 housing leads for displaced families.
Separately, the Housing Authority considered and approved proposed updates to the San Diego Housing Commission’s procurement policy to consolidate policy language, move working‑level procedures into administrative regulations and the SDHC standard operating manual, and clarify sole‑source and competitive thresholds for certain nonprofit and homelessness contracts. Commissioners discussed sole‑source justifications and the thresholds for non‑competitive awards; staff said contracts above certain amounts still require Commission approval and public transparency.
The Housing Authority approved the procurement policy changes (vote 7–1) after questions and public comment. Councilmembers and public speakers urged ongoing transparency and said the procurement revisions should explicitly include the people served by SDHC among stakeholders and ensure oversight when noncompetitive awards are used for urgent shelter or restoration work.
