Re “San Diego built more housing last year than it did in any of the past 17 years” (June 27): 2023 may be a “banner” housing year, but something important is missing here. The 11,673 building permits may be a significant gain, but what is in the number? According to SANDAG’s 2023 County of San Diego Regional Housing Needs Assessment Progress report, 31 percent of low- and very low-income needs were met. This compares to 75 percent of the need for moderate to upper incomes — for those with fewer affordability issues.

This is nothing new as San Diego never comes close to meeting the goals where affordability is most critical. To talk about needed housing production without this key element is not a complete story. Real affordable housing progress requires more public resources and policies that we still lack.

— Evan Becker, Point Loma