The San Diego City Council took action Tuesday to support implementation of a plan that will replace and expand shelter options for people experiencing homelessness, officials said.
Urgency stems from the anticipated closure of 614 shelter beds at Golden Hall and the Paul Mirabile Center by the end of the year.
Among the approved measures is the expansion of the city’s Safe Sleeping and Safe Parking programs, which provide designated areas for individuals to sleep overnight, whether in tents or vehicles.
Current capacity for the Safe Sleeping Program is just over 500 tents, according to the city. However, following Tuesday’s unanimous council vote, the program will expand to more than 750 tents with added platforms at the O Lot and 20th & B locations on the outskirts of Balboa Park.
Council President Sean Elo-Rivera emphasized the importance of acting quickly to prevent further displacement of unsheltered residents.
“This council is moving quickly, yet thoughtfully, to ensure that the vulnerable members of our community do not find themselves without shelter in the wake of these anticipated bed closures,” Elo-Rivera said.
Additional options that will be pursued as part of the plan include the lease of hotel rooms for seniors and families, better utilization of current shelter sites, and offering diversion and financial support.
These initiatives are part of a broader action plan developed in collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission and other agencies.
Key to the approved plan’s effectiveness is technical support and funding from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, according to Elo-Rivera’s office.
“Expanding shelter options and taking related steps, including diversion, is exactly the right response to this situation,” RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler said.
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