In an effort to combat the persistent issue of homelessness, Mayor Todd Gloria of San Diego has declared that the city has made significant use of state grant funding to clear out entrenched homeless encampments in the East Village area. "Thanks to these additional resources provided by Governor Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature, we have been able to clear these unsafe and unsanitary encampments in Downtown, and also put those who were living in them on a path to housing," Mayor Gloria stated.
According to details reported by San Diego's official website, the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department (HSSD) benefited from a $2.45 million state grant aimed at resolving the issue of encampments that were a source of major concern in the space around the U.S. Post office and old Downtown Central Library. The initiative identified a core group of 76 individuals consistently living without shelter, directing each towards potential long-term housing solutions.
Partnering organizations, including NAMI San Diego and Healthcare in Action, were instrumental in the outreach, providing case management and various health services. Their efforts bore fruit, with 19 of those homeless individuals being placed in permanent housing and 71 moved to shelters or the City's Safe Sleeping program.
Governor Newsom praised San Diego for moving people off the streets and into housing, noting statewide progress with over 5,600 encampments removed. "California is providing funding to local communities to address the needs of individuals living in these areas. It’s time for more local governments to utilize these funds to tackle homelessness throughout the state," Newsom said. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn echoed this sentiment, reporting a visible reduction in downtown homeless encampments and anticipating further advancements in the upcoming year.
The East Village project, as per the city's announcement, is merely the first of three in San Diego financed by the state Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Grant Program. A subsequent $3.16 million allocation is set to aid in assisting an estimated 90 individuals living along the Interstate 15 corridor, and a combined effort with the County of San Diego, City of Santee, and Caltrans, courtesy of a $17 million ERF grant, aims to serve around 250 people near the San Diego River.
Since taking office, Mayor Gloria has aggressively prioritized the homelessness crisis, expanding outreach, shelter capacity, parking programs for those living out of their vehicles, and championing mental health interventions at the state level. Achievements include a new Safe Sleeping Program and the adoption of the Unsafe Camping Ordinance.
