Course trains managers of affordable housing
As new affordable housing projects are planned throughout the county, MiraCosta College has introduced a new certification program to help fill the gap in managers to run the properties.
The Affordable Housing Management certificate was announced Wednesday at the North County Economic Summit at CSU San Marcos as a way to prepare students to enter the workforce at the management level.
Findings from the 2022 California Housing Partnership’s annual Affordable Housing Needs Report released Wednesday show the number of affordable housing units built in 2021 increased by 43 percent compared with the previous year.
“We have heard from our members who build affordable housing that there is a clear need for staff to manage and maintain these homes,” said Stephen Russell, president and CEO of the San Diego Housing Federation. “These are good-paying jobs that benefit the communities that need career opportunities the most.
“While it is good news that the number of homes built for those in need went up, we have a long way to go before we meet demand,” he added.
Analysis has shown the San Diego region needs to build an additional 171,685 units by 2029 to meet its regional needs.
The certificate program was created through a collaboration between MiraCosta College’s Short Term Career Preparation and the San Diego Housing Federation.
The federation plans to offer four informational sessions throughout the county in the coming months to inform potential students and industry mentors about the program. The program will also target traditionally underserved communities for prospective students who can use the program to build a career that will have a positive impact in their neighborhoods.
Two four-week courses, both offered for free, are required to obtain a Certificate of Completion.
For more information, contact Erica Duran at eduran@miracosta.edu. Fall registration is now open, and students can register by visiting www.miracosta.edu and searching for the fall 2022 continuing education schedule.