In a direct appeal to help manage the city's homeless crisis, the city calls on property owners and managers to submit potential locations that could serve as future shelter sites. As reported by the City of San Diego, The initiative is part of the updated Comprehensive Shelter Strategy, which aims to boost the municipal shelter system's long-term capacity and replace beds that will be lost due to the upcoming closure of temporary facilities.
"We've doubled capacity at our sheltering options, but clearly more needs to be done so that San Diegans continue to see encampments being addressed and our unsheltered neighbors get connected to services that will help end their homelessness," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria was quoted on the City's website. While ample affordable housing remains the definitive solution, the City emphasizes the necessity of addressing the immediate homelessness crisis head-on as they work on building thousands of new supportive units. The City has made strides, increasing shelter and Safe Sleeping opportunities by over 930 beds in the past year—yet the Regional Task Force on Homelessness still estimates roughly 3,000 people remain unsheltered in the city.
The formal solicitation or Request for Information (RFI) is now open for submissions from those willing to sell or lease their properties for shelter use. Submissions will be reviewed by both the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions and Economic Development departments. All interested parties should respond by Oct. 7, with any inquiries directed to [email protected] no later than Sept. 20.
Last month, the San Diego Housing Commission issued requests to find landlords and service providers to expand safe sleeping and safe parking sites as part of their Comprehensive Shelter Strategy. These sites have already helped over 2,500 people this year. The proposed Hope @ Vine in Middletown, still in lease talks, could provide a permanent shelter that respects its residents, as suggested by city staff in July.
