San Diego Unified Board Advances 2 Affordable Workforce Housing Projects

Board of Education Approval Authorizes District Staff to Negotiate with Selected Entities

SD Unified Seeks to Create Affordable Housing for 10% of Its Workforce Over Next Decade

SAN DIEGO (January 26, 2026)- The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education took action tonight, January 26, 2026, at a special affordable housing workshop to authorize staff to begin due diligence and negotiate best-and-final term sheets based on proposals presented by developers at the Eugene Brucker Education Center in University Heights and the former Irving Street Warehouse site at 2101 Commercial Street. The Board voted to advance the Protea + Malick and Mirka Investment proposals. Their proposals include:

Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St., San Diego CA 92103

Protea + Malick

• Unit Details:1,500 total units from 50% AMI to 120% AMI.
• Financial Benefits:Potential future financial benefits.
• Other Potential Benefits:Integrate site improvements for a drop-off and pick-up parking area that supports Birney Elementary School. Potential pool for San Diego High student use. Childcare facility. Dog park.Community space/garden.

Commercial Street - 2101 Commercial Street, San Diego CA 92113

Mirka Investment

• Unit Details:174 units of affordable workforce housing from 30% AMI to 80 % AMI
• FinancialBenefits: $7,500,000 total guaranteed rent with potential future financial benefits.
• Other Potential Benefits:Construct a 6,000 square foot childcare facility

The Board of Education determined if the district staff analysis shows the Mirka Investments project is not feasible, staff can immediately start to conduct the due diligence process with Decro Corporation for their proposal for 86 units of affordable workforce housing on the Commercial Street site.

San Diego Unified School District has set a goal of providing 10% of its workforce with affordable housing by 2030.

"Our Board's thoughtful consideration of these workforce housing proposals reflects our commitment to tackling the affordability crisis facing so many dedicated educators and support staff," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "By moving these projects forward, the Board is taking meaningful steps toward creating quality homes that are within reach for the people who make our schools successful."

On December 10, 2025, the Board of Education first reviewed proposals submitted for five District sites in response to the District's Request for Proposals. While one housing project at the Instructional Media Center was advanced, the Board directed staff to schedule future workshops to allow for deeper review and discussion of proposals for the remaining four properties at the Eugene Brucker Education Center, Ballard Center/Fremont Center, 2101 Commercial Street, and Revere Center.

On December 19, 2025, the District extended invitations to all qualified proposers for the four remaining sites to participate in two special Board of Education Real Estate Workshops held January 26 and 27. Proposers were asked to present their concepts, clarify elements of their original submissions, discuss financing feasibility, and provide tabular summaries of project details, as well as respond to questions from Board members.

At the Monday, January 26 workshop, developers who submitted proposals for the Education Center and Commercial Street properties presented detailed plans for constructing affordable housing. Board members engaged with proposers and District staff on key elements of each project, including affordability levels, community benefits, and revenue considerations.

The Board's action authorizes staff to complete due diligence and negotiate best-and-final term sheets with the selected proposer for each property. Any final agreements will return to the Board for future consideration.

The Affordable Workforce Housing initiative reflects San Diego Unified's continued commitment to developing housing options that support the recruitment and retention of a strong workforce, while maintaining District ownership of property and ensuring community-oriented outcomes.

For more information about the proposals, workshop agendas, and next steps, please visit the Board of Education section at SanDiegoUnified.org.

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