In response to the pressing issue of homelessness, the City of San Diego is set to expand its Safe Sleeping Program by roughly 50%, equating to space for 235 more tents. Designed to offer a low-threshold haven complete with essential services, these sites provide a starting point for individuals on the streets to begin their journey toward stable housing. Mayor Todd Gloria is at the forefront of this initiative, with San Diego setting an example nationwide. "Safe Sleeping is a first-of-its-kind program that provides an opportunity for people who previously hadn’t accepted City services to take a crucial first step toward ending their homelessness," Gloria stated, signifying the city's progressive attitude, as detailed in the City of San Diego press release.
Following the city council's unanimous decision, the program's capacity will increase from just over 500 to more than 750 tents. The sites on City property at O Lot and 20th & B will soon feature additional platforms. This expansion was initially proposed in the newly updated Comprehensive Shelter Strategy, which foresees an upcoming shortage in shelter beds with the closure of two critical shelters, Golden Hall and Paul Mirabile Center, by the end of 2024.
Yesterday, the City Council endorsed a short-term action plan to counteract the looming decrease in shelter beds. The plan, hatched by the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department in consort with the San Diego Housing Commission, prioritizes augmenting programs like Safe Sleeping and Safe Parking while also scoping out for expansion of current shelters and non-congregate shelter alternatives.
The nonprofit Dreams for Change and Downtown San Diego Partnership are seeing results, with 88 participants finding housing since last June. The city also reported a 24% increase in people placed into permanent housing compared to last year. To continue these efforts, the city recently sought information on new shelter locations, with Hope @ Vine in Middletown being a potential site.
