In a notable shift in addressing homelessness, San Diego County’s Homeless Diversion Program has yielded promising results after its first year, successfully assisting almost 600 individuals to maintain housing securely. The county reported a significant milestone in December 2024 when the number of people exiting homelessness surpassed those entering it for the first time, with the Diversion Program playing a critical role in this achievement.
Launched in January 2024, the program sought to quickly and cost-effectively keep individuals and families from being unhoused, investing just $3,150 per household on average. In a statement obtained by the office of Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer, she said, "Diversion works. It keeps people housed, saves taxpayers money, and helps turn the tide on homelessness. The time to act is now."
The assistance provided includes short-term help such as security deposits and rental support. Regarding distribution, 46% of the program's funding was allocated to rental assistance, while 35% went to security deposits. This approach has proven to be five times more cost-effective than traditional methods reliant on shelters, emergency medical care, or law enforcement.
According to the program's data, 9% of all individuals who moved out of homelessness in December 2024 did so with help from Diversion—effectively underscoring its expanding influence in countering homelessness. "For the first time in nearly three years, we saw more people housed than became homeless. That’s not luck—it’s because we invested in a smarter way to keep people housed," Lawson-Remer told the press.
The program’s beneficiaries vary, with 22% being seniors, 8% youth, and nearly 41% families with children, highlighting its inclusive reach. The Diversion Program was expanded through a public-private partnership that includes the County and City of San Diego and philanthropic entities such as the Lucky Duck Foundation. Drew Moiser of the Lucky Duck Foundation praised the endeavor, stating via the press release, "These one-time nominal investments to help seniors and families avoid homelessness are significantly more humane and cost-effective than allowing them to end up on the streets."
