Council members on Tuesday will begin discussing how to replace 700-plus beds
Elijah Biddle, 27, sits in his tent under a San Diego freeway earlier this year. in one of the city’s traditional facilities, according to data from the San Diego Housing Commission. More recently, the rate fell further to about 12 percent, meaning only around 1 out of every 10 requests resulted in shelter.“That is just not acceptable,” Eugene Mitchell, chair of the housing commission board, said about the low success rate during a recent public meeting.
Regional efforts to increase penalties for sleeping outside, however, seem to be moving more quickly. Chula Vista and National Citywould allow Gloria to declare a homelessness emergency if the annual point-in-time count found that the local unhoused population had jumped by more than 20 percent year-over-year, or if there were more than twice as many homeless residents as shelter beds.
Gloria said that authority could simplify the process of launching new shelters and services. More organizations might then be willing to step up, the mayor added, leading to a competitive bidding process that should result in better deals for taxpayers. “That kind of speed could make a significant difference.”
A spokesperson noted that emergency powers would not apply to the plan to turn a Middletown warehouse, by Kettner Boulevard and Vine Street, into a shelter that could hold up to 1,000 beds. Skeptical council members
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Diego City Council to consider ordinance to allow mayor to declare housing or homelessness emergenciesCiara Encinas joined the ABC 10News team in December 2021 as a multimedia journalist.
Read more »
San Diego City Council throws support behind striking Hilton Bayfront hotel workersThe council voted unanimously Tuesday on a resolution, calling on Hilton to come back to the bargaining table.
Read more »
San Diego City Council wants to streamline traffic calming to improve street safetyPolicies that govern things like stop signs, crosswalks and speed humps are complex and highly technical. Even deadly intersections sometimes fail to meet the city's criteria for safety improvements.
Read more »
The race to represent San Diego City Council District 3Incumbent Stephen Whitburn faces homeless advocate and attorney Coleen Cusack in the race to represent District 3, which includes downtown, Hillcrest and North…
Read more »
San Diego City Council votes to pass resolution supporting hotel workersStriking hotel workers in San Diego got some support Tuesday from the San Diego City Council, when it passed a resolution calling on the Hilton Bayfront to go back to the bargaining table. In other news, a senior enlisted Marine at the San Diego Recruit Depot is in the brig and facing charges.
Read more »
San Diego expands language access with new translations of council businessIn a related effort to help San Diegans understand how their city government operates, the city clerk has added a glossary of terms commonly used at council meetings.
Read more »