More than 1,000 homeless people sought assistance Wednesday at an annual one-day resource fair at Golden Hall in downtown San Diego.
While the total of 1,016 is not insignificant, the number is well short of what was expected. At a news conference last week, organizers of Project Homeless Connect said the total served could reach 1,500, given the growing number of downtown homeless.
More than 1,200 people were helped last year at the event run by the San Diego Housing Commission.
The homeless were provided with items like clothing, socks and blankets, and services like haircuts by 90 service organizations and 350 volunteers. Eye exams were given to attendees, for the first time, by La Maestra Community Health Centers.
“I’m just so thankful for all of the volunteers for coming out — they are making a difference,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. “Today, it’s about connecting people with help — helping them get back into housing, helping them get the services they need, and showing the kindness and compassion that helps define who we are as San Diegans.”
Representatives of a city program to house 1,000 homeless veterans reached out to former members of the military to get them enrolled. The program, major initiative by the mayor, provides incentives to landlords to rent to veterans.
A second event dealing with homelessness — the annual tally of those living on the streets or shelters in the region — is scheduled for Friday. The count helps quantify the scope of the problem and determines the amount of federal and state funding that comes to area governments and nonprofits.
Volunteers are also needed for the count. Information is available on the website of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless at rtfhsd.org.
–City News Service
