Qualcomm Co-Founder Irwin Jacobs Drops $50M to Build 500 Affordable Homes in San Diego

Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs has donated $50 million to Father Joe's Villages to fund a new 18-story affordable housing complex in San Diego's East Village. The project, named the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Family Campus, will offer more than 500 affordable units, including 150 senior apartments, aimed at addressing rising homelessness among older adults.

The donation is one of the largest private gifts for affordable housing in San Diego's history. Father Joe's Villages, a local nonprofit, will operate the campus, expanding its services to include permanent supportive housing for seniors and low-income individuals. The project comes as San Diego faces a growing homelessness crisis, with a 2023 point-in-time count showing a 32% increase in unsheltered seniors over the past five years.

The Jacobs' gift highlights the role of private philanthropy in tackling public housing shortages. It may inspire other tech leaders to contribute to similar causes, while also pressuring local government to streamline permitting and funding for affordable housing. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with completion targeted for 2027.