By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff
Homelessness is one of the most critical issues facing San Diego and other big cities throughout the state currently.
The latest point in time count conducted in January of this year revealed over 10,000 people are unhoused within the county, with 1,324 becoming homeless for the first time this May. Despite a heavy focus on the issue over the last three years, the continuous increase of homeless populations year by year underscores the critical funding needs towards more housing and prevention programs.
Mayor Todd Gloria’s 2025 fiscal year budget that was recently passed by council includes an increase of $28 million to homeless programs and projects within the City of San Diego–notably the construction of a 1,000 bed shelter in Middletown, as well as the expansion of the safe parking program.
“Once these two key projects are completed, the City will have more than tripled the number of opportunities for unsheltered San Diegans to come off the streets.” Mayor Gloria writes.
While negotiations are still ongoing between the city and the seller Douglas Hamm, the community has expressed mixed reviews over the logistics, effects on the neighborhood, and the health and safety.
Reports show that it would cost San Diego $92 million in rent over the 35-year contract period, along with an initial $18 million in upgrades to the 65,000 sq ft. warehouse. Operating costs would be $30 million a year.
The newly passed city budget also includes funding that would speed up the process it takes to build affordable housing units near transit.
Statewide Homeless Investments
In 2023, the federal “point in time” count revealed that over 180,000 residents across the state of California experienced homelessness, a 6% increase since 2022.
As a result, leaders of the state Senate and Assembly allocated an additional $1 billion in funding through the Housing, Assistance and Prevention program (HHAP).
“This funding is a lifeline for our city and others across California, enabling us to continue our vital work of getting homeless individuals off the streets and into permanent housing,” Mayor Gloria states.
Across the state, HHAP funding has created 15,000 shelter beds, and has placed over 42,000 Californians into temporary and permanent housing.
Golden Hall Shelter Closing
The aged shelter in Golden Hill serving 263 beds a night will close and transition residents to other facilities by the end of the year. New intakes will be paused, and the city encourages individuals to seek out services at the other 17 city-funded shelters or safe sleeping and parking sites.
“Golden Hall has always been a temporary shelter”, the June 13 update on homelessness newsletter reads. The permit from the fire marshal and damages from heavy rain have necessitated its closure.
Full list of running city funded shelters run by contracted service providers:
- Alpha Project Bridge Shelter I
- Alpha Project Bridge Shelter II
- Barrio Logan Family Shelter
- Community Harm Reduction Shelter
- Community Harm Reduction Safe Haven
- Father Joe’s Villages Bishop Maher Center
- Father Joe’s Villages Paul Mirabile Center
- Golden Hall
- LGBT Center – LGBTQ+ Affirming TAY Shelter (Clairemont)
- LGBT Center – LGBTQ+ Affirming TAY Shelter (Midway)
- Old Central Library Alliance Shelter
- PATH Connections Housing
- Rachel’s Promise Women’s Shelter
- Rosecrans Shelter
- Safe Sleeping at 20th & B
- Safe Sleeping at O Lot
- Salvation Army Interim Family Shelter
- San Diego Youth Services
- Seniors Landing
- San Diego Youth Services
- Urban Street Angels Youth Shelter
