California has recently awarded $20.75 million in Homekey program funds to San Diego. The funds are earmarked for two housing projects, designed to create affordable homes with supportive services for the homeless. These projects are part of a broader move to offer permanent solutions to homelessness across the city, according to the San Diego Housing Commission news.
Mayor Todd Gloria stressed housing's crucial role in truly addressing the homelessness crisis. He thanked Governor Newsom, as well as city and county partners, for their assistance in offering a holistic approach to housing paired with necessary supportive services.
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) has been granted the funds to push these projects forward, planning to add, 75 affordable rental units equipped with supportive services for the homeless to the market. These will all be located in City Council District 2, with the aim of assisting the homeless population and ensuring they have access to necessary long-term services.
Council President Sean Elo-Rivera highlighted the effectiveness of supportive services in addressing homelessness. "Clearer the evidence could not be. Homelessness can be ended with housing – specifically homes equipped with support services tailored for people experiencing homelessness," he commented.
Thanks to support from various organizations, including the San Diego Food Bank and the San Diego Padres, the Homekey program's future looks promising. The funding granted will aid the purchase and repair of properties to form affordable housing units, as well as offer rental vouchers to residents. Additional funding applications are still pending review.
Through state collaboration, Homekey has already helped San Diego secure over $49.5 million in funding, aiding in the creation of 372 affordable rental apartments. The program's approach streamlines funding and regulations, allowing the city to rapidly house the homeless in months rather than years.
Beyond the current funds, SDHC has also approached for an additional $63.5 million in funding, with the potential to provide an additional 266 affordable housing units. These applications are still under review by the State and are anticipated to be decided by year-end.
