The City of San Diego, responding to its homelessness crisis, has launched new initiatives to expand shelter availability and help individuals transition to stable housing. Senior city officials, accompanied by representatives of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), rolled out an action plan introducing 363 new beds into the system, with a slated start date of December 1. "With hundreds of new beds at multiple sites, we are delivering on our commitment to ensure that no one who is currently sheltered will be sent back to the streets," Mayor Todd Gloria said, according to Hoodline.
The plan includes creating additional beds at Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), tailored for demographics such as single adult men, seniors over 55, and veterans. Moreover, a motel conversion will add 105 non-congregate beds to the shelter mix.
These sessions, including feedback from current shelter residents and staff, underline the need for ADA accessibility, workforce integration, and peer support, which is crucial in the continued development of San Diego’s approach to addressing homelessness. Deputy Director Renee Robertson of the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department stated, as per the City of San Diego, "What we heard over and over was the desire for a secure space that is trauma-informed and client-centered -- somewhere where they can dream about the life they want to build again."
Beginning on November 1, the SDHC has set a diversion initiative to relocate current shelter residents to more long-term setups. This project features components like financial assistance, shared housing options, and specialized case management, which have been shown to facilitate positive outcomes in similar situations. Lisa Jones, President and CEO of SDHC, said, "we are making intentional and thoughtful efforts to address these needs and center our approach on delivering the resources needed to best serve our unhoused neighbors," she said, as detailed by Hoodline. Preempting the closure of the shelter at Golden Hall, residents from there are given housing priority to ensure a seamless transition into new accommodations.
