The San Diego County Housing Authority on Nov. 5 authorized staff to apply to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to financially reposition four public housing properties in Chula Vista by converting them to Section 8 project‑based subsidy through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)/Section 18 small public housing authority blend.

County staff told the Housing Authority that the four properties together contain 121 affordable units, including a site that serves low‑income seniors and households with disabilities. David Estrella, director for the housing authority team, said revenue projections increase after conversion "from approximately $1,700,000 per year to $4,000,000 per year," which staff said would allow necessary capital repairs and long‑term preservation of affordability. "Residents at the property will remain in their units and their monthly rental cost, which is income based, will remain the same," Estrella said.

Nick Martinez, assistant director of Housing and Community Development Services, described operational steps the authority would take post‑conversion, including forming a limited liability company to assume ownership and issuing a request for proposals to select an affordable‑housing partner that would manage renovations and ongoing operations. Martinez said resident outreach included six meetings this year and that the city of Chula Vista had provided a letter of support.

The board held a public hearing; nine callers and one emailed comment addressed the proposal. Public commenters included advocates urging smoke‑free policy in affordable units and residents noting federal funding uncertainty. In response, board members emphasized the conversion is intended to preserve deeply affordable units and ensure funds for deferred maintenance.

The chair pro tem moved the item and a supervisor seconded; the motion passed unanimously with all commissioners present voting aye.

What the action does and next steps: the board adopted a resolution authorizing the application for RAD/Section 18 conversion, found the actions exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as presented, authorized formation of a separate legal entity (an LLC) to assume ownership, declared the sites exempt from surplus property rules for the purpose of disposition, and authorized staff to issue an RFP for an affordable‑housing partner. Staff said community and resident engagement will continue throughout the conversion process.

Why it matters: County staff said the conversion program provides a more sustainable revenue stream tied to Section 8 funding levels, enabling investment in long‑deferred repairs and preserving units for low‑income families, seniors and people with disabilities.

Board action: motion carried unanimously; the board recorded a unanimous aye vote by commissioners present.