The San Diego Tribune: Housing Crisis Prompts San Diego to Pursue ‘Inclusionary’ Legislation Opposed by Developers

San Diego officials say they plan to follow the lead of other California cities and begin requiring developers building new apartment complexes to either include units reserved for low-income residents or pay hefty fees.Supporters say the highly anticipated “inclusionary housing” legislation could play a key role in solving the city’s housing crisis, while also making many neighborhoods more diverse racially and economically.Critics warn that the proposed legislation, which is expected to be unveiled this fall, could backfire and choke off housing construction at a crucial time by slashing the profit margins of developers.San Diego officials were prompted to pursue new legislation by a California law enacted in January that gives cities and counties more latitude on inclusionary housing ordinances, which had previously been declared invalid by state appellate courts.