With homelessness persistently challenging the City of San Diego, a light appears at the end of the tunnel with the conversion of a former hotel into affordable apartments. The San Diego Housing Commission, in partnership with the city, county, and key organizational players, will commence construction on Presidio Palms next week. Once an extended-stay hotel in Mission Valley, the property is set to provide more than 160 people, currently without shelter, a place to call home.
Major funding for the initiative comes from California's Homekey Program, which, in conjunction with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, will offer essential support services at Presidio Palms. Mayor Todd Gloria, with optimism cautiously guarded, spoke about the power of collaboration in these ventures, stating, "This Homekey project demonstrates the power of collaboration between the State, City, County, and local partners to address homelessness more effectively," as reported by the San Diego Housing Commission.
The Council has reinforced San Diego's commitment to addressing housing scarcity and homelessness, with Council President Sean Elo-Rivera highlighting the importance of creative and efficient housing solutions. According to Elo-Rivera, "Increasing the availability of affordable housing is the key to preventing and addressing homelessness and reducing cost-of-living in San Diego," as per the San Diego Housing Commission, conveying the council's appreciation for the efforts of all parties involved.
Financially, the State is injecting $35 million into acquiring and refurbishing the site. The City and County are each contributing $17.8 million, and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness is furnishing an additional $1.1 million. City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn expressed his confidence in the collaborative effort, stating, "This has been a tremendous collaboration which will transform this one-time hotel into a warm and welcoming home for people who have experienced homelessness," as the San Diego Housing Commission reported.
The planned upgrades are comprehensive, including new HVAC systems, solar energy panels, upgraded fire safety systems, and accessibility improvements in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the development will enrich the community with a new room designed for community use and other amenities to facilitate a supportive environment for its residents.
Those needing housing will be matched to Presidio Palms through the RTFH's Coordinated Entry System, prioritizing individuals based on urgency and aligning available resources to meet those needs. Furthermore, the project's location relative to public transportation could enhance connectivity for future residents to key parts of the regional transit system.
RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler succinctly addressed the project by describing the bottom line, as the San Diego Housing Commission mentioned, "This new community and others like it help us achieve our primary goal: ensuring homelessness is a rare and brief occurrence." The anticipated completion date of Presidio Palms' rehabilitation is April 2025, marking a significant milestone in San Diego's journey to reduce homelessness through actionable housing solutions.
