As San Diego prepares for the closure of several of its homeless shelters at the end of the month, the city announced new initiatives Monday to support those affected.
Around 650 beds are being taken out of inventory due to planned developments at Golden Hall, Father Joe’s Villages’ Paul Mirabile Center and Rachel’s Promise Shelter, along with the scheduled closure of several temporary shelters.
The city’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, the San Diego Housing Commission and Regional Task Force on Homelessness presented an updated short-term shelter action plan to the City Council.
The plan includes the addition of 263 new shelter beds to help address the expected gap created by shelter closures and transitions, according to the city.
“These additions to our shelter system have ensured that no one impacted by the closure of Golden Hall or the changes at the Paul Mirabile Center will return to the streets,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “Even as we navigate challenging budget constraints, we are continuing the work we’re doing to address homelessness.”
The Golden Hall shelter will shutter at the end of December and shelter beds at The Paul Mirabile Center will soon be converted from traditional shelter beds to beds dedicated to sober living. The latter location, operated by Father Joe’s Villages, will transition-in-place to the planned sober living program, nonprofit leaders said.
According to Monday’s update, three locations will provide city-funded beds for those experiencing homelessness:
- Veterans Village of San Diego will operate 40 beds for veterans and Father Joe’s will run 130 beds for single adults and seniors in the same location. This location opened Dec. 1
- TURN Behavioral Health Services will operate 56 non-congregate shelter beds focused on those with alcohol substance abuse
- San Diego Rescue Mission will run 37 beds at the South County Lighthouse Interim Shelter in National City for those who identify as male or nonbinary
“Over the last three months we’ve hosted seven listening sessions to hear from individuals staying at existing city shelters, shelter staff and outreach workers to inform these new additions,” said Sarah Jarman, director of the city’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department. “Their input is vital as we continue to explore additional expansion of services.”
To help make the move easier even as the city faces a looming budget deficit, the city council on Monday also accepted a $29 million California Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant which can be used to support existing programs.
The number of homeless in the region increased by around 20% between 2022 and 2023, but a less dramatic increase in the city of around 4% was recorded in this year’s count.
In October, the city added 230 tents at its Safe Sleeping sites with plans to continue to expand that program.
San Diego funds around 1,900 beds in addition to 760 sites in the Safe Sleeping Program and 220 in the Safe Parking Program.
Elizabeth Ireland contributed to this article.
