East County Magazine
December 3, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego’s Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Council President Todd Gloria announced this week that the city of San Diego will be setting up a permanent shelter aimed at ending the cycle of homelessness.
“Every winter, the city struggles to find a place to shelter the homeless,” said Mayor Faulconer, adding that it’s not enough to just provide beds in winter weather. The city aims to open a 350-bed permanent facility that will also provide supportive services to help San Diegans get off the streets for good, the Mayor stated.
It won’t happen in time for this winter, so temporary shelters will stay open. The city is seeking proposals from nonprofits to run a permanent shelter. The San Diego Housing Commission posted an official request for proposals on its website, and will accept applications now through Jan. 13.
The commission is hoping to find an existing structure so it can open the permanent shelter by July 1st.
Councilman David Alvarez, who represents Barrio Logan where a temporary shelter with tents has been run each year, says “People in the community are compassionate, but we want to see it get resolved.”
Council President Gloria said the permanent homeless shelter will accept residents by referral, adding that with only temporary facilities, “What we saw year after year were the same faces.”
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