San Diego's Historic Neighborhoods Offer Housing Solutions, Not Limitations

New data-driven analysis challenges common assumptions about the role of historic districts in addressing the city's housing affordability crisis.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A recent independent analysis by PlaceEconomics found that San Diego's historic districts are nearly twice as dense as other residential neighborhoods, have produced almost twice as many accessory dwelling units per square mile since 2018, and provide a disproportionate share of rental units affordable to lower-income households. The report challenges the notion that historic preservation is an obstacle to solving the city's housing needs, arguing that older homes represent a form of 'naturally occurring affordable housing' that should be preserved.

Why it matters

As San Diego grapples with housing affordability, policymakers must base solutions on evidence rather than assumptions. This report provides data showing that historic neighborhoods are actually part of the solution, not the problem, by contributing to housing supply, affordability, and sustainability in ways that are often overlooked.

The details

The PlaceEconomics report, 'The Urban Vitality Blueprint: A Data-Driven Analysis of Equity, Affordability, and Vitality in San Diego's Historic Districts,' found that historic districts in San Diego are nearly twice as dense as other residential areas and have seen population growth at more than twice the citywide rate over the past decade. They have also produced almost twice as many accessory dwelling units per square mile since 2018. Homes in historic districts are about 25% smaller than the citywide average, with lower median rents, providing a critical source of 'naturally occurring affordable housing' that is at risk of being lost through demolition.

  • The PlaceEconomics report was recently released in April 2026.
  • Over the past decade, population growth within historic districts has occurred at more than twice the rate of San Diego overall.

The players

PlaceEconomics

An independent research and consulting firm that conducted the data-driven analysis on the role of historic districts in San Diego's housing and affordability challenges.

Bruce D Coons

Executive director of SOHO (Save Our Heritage Organisation), San Diego County's historic preservation advocacy group.

Barry Hager

Co-founder and adviser for Mission Hills Heritage, a grassroots organization focused on historic preservation in the Mission Hills neighborhood.

Geoffrey Hueter

Chair of Neighbors for a Better San Diego, a grassroots land-use advocacy organization.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Historic districts are often portrayed as low-density neighborhoods that limit housing growth. In reality, the opposite is true.”

— Bruce D Coons, Executive director of SOHO (Save Our Heritage Organisation)

“Older housing plays a critical role in affordability. Homes in historic districts are about 25% smaller than the citywide average, and median rents are lower.”

— Barry Hager, Co-founder and adviser for Mission Hills Heritage

“Demolishing buildings and constructing new ones generates large amounts of carbon emissions. Research increasingly shows that rehabilitating existing buildings often produces lower total emissions than replacing them with new construction.”

— Geoffrey Hueter, Chair of Neighbors for a Better San Diego

What’s next

As San Diego considers potential changes to preservation policy, the conversation should start with the evidence presented in the PlaceEconomics report, which shows that historic neighborhoods are not obstacles to solving the city's housing needs, but are in fact part of the solution.

The takeaway

This report provides crucial data-driven evidence that challenges the common assumption that historic preservation is hindering housing affordability in San Diego. Instead, it shows that older, smaller homes in historic districts are playing a vital role in providing naturally occurring affordable housing, and that preserving these neighborhoods can be an important part of the city's strategy to address its housing crisis.