The basic need of shelter

By Councilman Todd Gloria

For too long, addressing homelessness seemed to be off the table in San Diego. It’s now on the minds of most San Diegans, according to the recent survey on Residents’ Opinion on City Services, and I continue to work aggressively toward solutions to address this complex issue.
As chair of the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee, I focused our April meeting on homelessness. The committee laid the groundwork for the City Council to implement a proposal for a permanent one-stop homeless services and housing facility this summer.
The proposed comprehensive homeless service center will bring an established and successful model of housing, care and support to San Diego.  My colleagues on the City Council and the neighbors they represent will be impressed with the social and economic benefits of the center, and I look forward to their support of the project.
The proposal for the homeless services facility in the World Trade Center building was developed by several partnering organizations. They recognized the value of combining health care, mental health services, substance abuse care and job training with housing to successfully move homeless San Diegans off the streets.
Not only would homeless individuals directly benefit from these new services, but neighbors grappling with growing populations of transients and taxpayers paying the bill for the extraordinary cost associated with our inaction to date will also benefit. As San Diegans, we have a shared responsibility to ensure our neighbors have basic needs met.
Proponents are currently discussing the proposal with neighbors and other interested parties before the committee next hears the item, likely at our July meeting.
The city’s progress and potential additional efforts to address the recommendations from the San Diego County Grand Jury report, “Homeless in San Diego,” motivates further action.
The Grand Jury report, released May 17, urges action throughout the San Diego region to address the challenges of homelessness. I am proud that the city of San Diego has made significant progress toward several of the Grand Jury’s recommendations including the permanent homeless intake facility, a regional approach to homelessness, interim temporary shelters and improved conditions at the Neil Good Day Center.
I remain personally involved in this critical issue and recently agreed to chair the Keys to Housing Advisory Council. Spearheaded by San Diego Grantmakers, our goal is to incubate a regional plan and toolbox for cities to end family homelessness in our community. I have invited elected officials to join me in providing regional representation to assure that strategies and tools developed can be implemented both regionally and within individual jurisdictions.
The basic need of shelter must be met so all of our neighbors can be safe, healthy and productive. Homelessness is important to San Diegans and this councilmember.

Councilman Todd Gloria can be reached at the District 3 office at (619) 236-6633; Fax (619) 595-1481; e-mail: toddgloria@sandiego.gov.