As part of an initiative to get people off the streets in San Diego, California, the first of two "safe sleeping" areas for the homeless opened recently.
Providing Accommodation for the City's Homeless
According to New York Post, Homeless Strategies and Solutions Department expansion plans were first revealed back in June in an effort to provide more housing options for the city's homeless population and therefore alleviate the current situation.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria stated at the time, "We are bringing forward a comprehensive shelter strategy with detailed proposals for the short, medium, and long terms that include expanded shelter, more safe parking, and safe sleeping offerings."
After almost a month, a new tent campground was set up behind a barbed-wire fence in San Diego's Central Operations Yard on the corner of 20th and B streets.
In an attempt to relocate the homeless from central business district regions, municipal authorities have planned to set up as many as 136 tents, each with enough for around 150 people.
Dreams for Change, a group that has experience running safe parking locations for persons living in automobiles, will be in charge of running this facility.
Although visitors are not expected to remain sober, they are not allowed to bring weapons, alcohol, or drugs inside the "low barrier" shelter.
The homeless community will also benefit from the availability of shower trailers, food trucks, and permanent washrooms.
There will soon be a bigger secure camping spot available in a parking lot close to the Naval Medical Center. Additionally, the location will provide access to food and other amenities and can accommodate up to 400 tents.
In addition to this project, Mayor Gloria presented a municipal budget that contained $81.7 million for homeless programs, an increase of over $20 million from the previous fiscal year.
ABC7 reported that the municipal council had already decided to make it illegal to set up a tent in a public place, so this is in line with that decision. Sometime later this month, the prohibition will go into force.
San Diego's Homelessness Crisis
In 2019, San Diego and its surrounding county had the fourth-highest homeless population in the US, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In response, then-Mayor Kevin Faulconer of San Diego approved a $11 million deal to build three "bridge shelters" for the city's homeless population.
During an interview with Fox News, Faulconer said, "We're taking dramatic action to move homeless people off the streets and get them help." The plan is to link them up with resources and provide them with a safe haven.
According to the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the number of individuals living in the suburbs was at a record high of about 2,000 in April, the highest number in over a decade. More than 2,100 persons were found to be occupying sidewalks and automobiles in a recent check.
