By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–In an ongoing effort to address homelessness and expand shelter options, the City of San Diego will present several potential shelter sites to the City Council on Monday.
The proposed sites were identified following a review by the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department and the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), incorporating input from property owners, City Councilmembers, and the City’s Independent Budget Analyst.
Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the importance of expanding shelter capacity, urging the City Council to take decisive action.
“We’ve identified several key sites that can serve as permanent shelters, including two already owned by the City, and I urge the City Council to authorize us to take the next steps to help more people off the street,” said Gloria. “Data clearly show our work to reduce homelessness is turning the tide, but we need more space for people to go.”
Proposed Shelter Sites
The City’s formal solicitation for potential shelter sites, issued in September 2024, was part of a broader strategy to establish long-term shelter solutions. Many of the City’s current shelters are temporary, constrained by site restrictions and redevelopment plans. The three proposed sites include:
- 1222 First Avenue: The current City Operations Building, is set to be vacated by City employees this spring. The five-floor structure offers approximately 217,000 square feet, with an estimated refurbishment cost of $45.2 million.
- 820 E Street: The former Central Library building, currently vacant, spans five floors and approximately 150,000 square feet. The estimated refurbishment cost is $86.8 million.
- 2nd Avenue Property: A privately owned mixed-use space providing approximately 25,000 square feet. The exact address remains undisclosed due to ongoing negotiations, and refurbishment costs are yet to be determined.
These options were identified following the collapse of a proposed lease agreement for a large shelter on Kettner Boulevard in Middletown after a year of negotiations.
Additional Homelessness Initiatives
Beyond shelter expansion, the City plans to nearly double its Safe Parking Program this spring with a new lot near San Diego International Airport. Next week, the City will advance a proposal with the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego to establish a semi-congregate facility accommodating up to 210 beds. This initiative aims to offset the loss of 40 beds due to redevelopment at a City-funded downtown shelter. The SDHC board is set to vote on this proposal on Friday, February 14.
Currently, the City funds 1,630 traditional shelter beds and up to 770 tent spaces through the Safe Sleeping Program. The Comprehensive Shelter Strategy, designed to reduce the long-term costs associated with relocating temporary shelters, commits to identifying permanent shelter locations. As part of a Short-Term Action Plan, the City added 263 shelter beds across three new facilities to compensate for beds lost due to site closures.
Public Engagement and Future Planning
The City, in collaboration with SDHC, has been conducting listening sessions with service providers and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to inform future shelter planning. “Feedback we’ve heard and best practices suggest that shelter stability is key for individuals receiving services, and it ultimately creates future certainty for the City’s homelessness response,” said Sarah Jarman, Director of HSSD. “The City, in partnership with the Housing Commission, will continue these listening sessions, where critical input helps guide the City’s plans and decisions on homelessness.”
Timeline of Key Actions
- August 2024 – The City requests property submissions for potential shelters.
- September 2024 – Formal solicitation for shelter properties issued.
- October 2024 – Safe Sleeping Program expands by 230 tent spaces.
- November-December 2024 – 263 beds added to the City’s sheltering system.
- February 2025 – City staff present reviewed shelter sites to the City Council.
With these latest initiatives, Mayor Gloria’s administration continues its most ambitious efforts to address homelessness in San Diego’s history. The City Council’s upcoming decisions will be pivotal in shaping the future of homelessness response in the region.
