The San Diego Housing Commission has cut 58 positions — 14% of its workforce — as declining federal funding and rising demand for housing assistance have pushed the agency into a financial bind that leadership says it had no choice but to address.

In February, the commission eliminated 26 vacant positions and dismissed 32 staff members, who received severance packages and other benefits. CEO Lisa Jones explained the decision at a board meeting Friday, describing it as a "very difficult" response to "changing funding priorities at the federal level and budget uncertainties from state and local governments."

For East County families — including those in Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lakeside who rely on the commission's rental voucher programs, affordable housing units, and homelessness services — the cuts raise legitimate questions about wait times and service availability. Jones acknowledged that thousands of low-income families on waiting lists still need assistance, but said the agency's priority is maintaining services for current clients while stabilizing long-term operations with reduced funding.

The commission had previously tried to contain costs by eliminating cost-of-living adjustments and senior staff bonuses, and by cutting ancillary programs — but it wasn't enough. Jones noted that 60% of the eliminated positions were supervisory or above, keeping frontline staff intact. Street outreach teams remain fully staffed.

The squeeze is coming from multiple directions: costs are up, housing demand is climbing as residents cope with a high cost of living, and federal funding is either flat or declining. "SDHC, like many other public housing authorities, is experiencing financial challenges like we've not seen in the past," Jones said. She added that she does not anticipate further workforce reductions.

Anyone in East County seeking housing assistance through the San Diego Housing Commission can contact the agency directly at sdhc.org.