Focusing on maintaining the City’s current shelter capacity while taking steps to increase bed availability, the City of San Diego in partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) will soon open new sheltering opportunities after hosting listening sessions with those experiencing homelessness and shelter providers. 

Today the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department (HSSD), along with the SDHC and Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH), provided an update to City Council on their Short-Term Action Plan for homelessness. The blueprint addresses the planned closure of the Golden Hall shelter at the end of this month as well as the loss of shelter beds from The Paul Mirabile Center, which will soon be converted from traditional shelter beds to beds dedicated to sober living. Located in East Village, the Paul Mirabile Center is operated by Father Joe’s Villages. Everyone currently staying at the Paul Mirabile Center will transition-in-place to the planned sober living program. 

In anticipation of these changes, the City has been working with shelter residents for months on individual transition plans. With 235 spaces added to the City’s Safe Sleeping Program and 263 new shelter beds, shelter residents were able to choose where they wanted to go. 

“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,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Even as we navigate challenging budget constraints, we are continuing the work we’re doing to address homelessness.” 

Approximately 263 City-funded shelter beds will be coming online soon at three locations:

·        Veterans Village of San Diego - 40 shelter beds for veterans experiencing homelessness. 130 beds for single adults and seniors, operated separately by Father Joe’s Villages.

·        TURN Behavioral Health Services - 56-bed non-congregate shelter focused on those with alcohol substance abuse.

·        San Diego Rescue Mission - 37 beds at the South County Lighthouse Interim Shelter in National City for those who identify as male or non-binary/gender. 

During the shelter transition process, the RTFH provided funding focused on diversion efforts to help quickly connect clients to additional resources. 

The City and SDHC are continuing to vet responses to a Request for Information and a Request for Qualifications for properties suitable for shelter use issued earlier this year.  

“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.” 

Also Monday, the City Council officially accepted a $29 million California Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 5 (HHAP-5) grant. The City was made aware of the allocation in February. The money will be used to support a variety of existing programs including multiple emergency shelters, the Safe Parking Program, Family Reunification Program and coordinated street outreach. 

Looking ahead, the City plans to expand the Safe Parking Program to provide additional space for people living in their vehicles. Site preparations continue for a new lot along Harbor Drive near San Diego International Airport, expected to be operational sometime early next year. 

In all, the City’s sheltering system funds approximately 1,900 beds, in addition to 760 spaces at the Safe Sleeping Program and 220 spaces in the Safe Parking Program.