Dear Neighbor, 

With our policy changes, expansion of shelter, and construction of more housing, the number of unsheltered people in Downtown San Diego has dropped nearly 65% since its peak in May 2023. 

That didn’t happen by accident.  The status quo was unacceptable and we took action. We’ve taken bold steps: launching programs like Safe Sleeping and Safe Parking (for people living in tents or vehicles, respectively), building more housing, and enforcing our Unsafe Camping Ordinance with a focus on connecting people to services. In just the past two years, more than 3,480 San Diegans have exited homelessness through City-funded programs. 

The progress is real — and we are not letting up. 

We’re continuing to invest in solutions that work, like opening the new 190-vehicle-capacity Safe Parking lot at H Barracks near the airport and expanding shelters for seniors, women and families. We’re also maintaining public health and safety through daily cleanups and partnering with organizations like the Downtown San Diego Partnership to keep our sidewalks safe and welcoming for everyone. 

Together, we’re turning the tide on homelessness in our city and, most of all, getting people the help and care they need. 

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.

The City of San Diego has launched a new Residential Waste Collection Services Portal at wasteportal.sandiego.gov, giving property owners who are eligible to receive City-provided trash collection the ability to select the size and number of containers for their property. 

Between July 15 and July 31, property owners will receive a mailer with a unique code to log in to the portal and make their selections. Please keep in mind, you’ll need the unique code in order to log in and create an account. Mailers are going out in batches through the end of the month, so don’t worry if you haven’t received one yet. If no selection is made, the City will automatically assign Bundle Option 3, one 95-gallon gray trash container and one 95-gallon light blue recycling container per property, regardless of the number of units on the property. The rate for this bundle is $43.60/month through June 30 and $44.57/month starting July 1, 2026 through June 20, 2027.  

Starting in October 2025 and continuing through June 2026, the City will begin delivering new gray trash and light blue recycling containers. Your existing green organic waste container will remain in use unless you request a different size, quantity, or don’t already have one. After delivery, the City will discontinue service for old black, blue, and non-City-provided containers. Those bins will be collected and recycled after the new bins are delivered. The deadline to choose your container bundle is Sept. 30. 

Each property must have at least one trash, one recycling, and one organic waste container. Container sizes range from 35 to 95 gallons. Property owners can choose smaller containers if they generate less waste or request larger or multiple containers for multi-unit properties or higher trash volumes. These customers will see a prorated credit or debit on their 2026-27 bill accrued from the date they receive their new containers before June 30.  

For more information, including a Trash Service Fee Calculator, visit www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/trash-service-updates. You can also call 858- 694-7000 with any questions. 

Summer in San Diego means sand, sails, and – starting this week – super heroes!  
 

San Diego’s largest convention of the year runs from Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, July 27, 2025.  
 

To create a fun and safe experience for everyone around the convention center, Harbor Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic from First Avenue to Park Boulevard (with the exception of emergency vehicles) during Comic-Con during the following dates and times: 

• Wednesday, July 23 2:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. 

• Thursday, July 24 7:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. 

• Friday, July 25 7:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. 

• Saturday, July 26 7:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. 

• Sunday, July 27 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. 

Only Comic-Con 2025 attendees with badges will be allowed to access the front drive, stairs and surrounding sidewalks of the San Diego Convention Center. The waterfront will still be accessible to the public during this time. See this map for details. 

 
Meanwhile, construction projects are in progress adjacent to, and south of, the convention center. If you’re coming to the convention center via Barrio Logan, please be aware that there may be delays on Harbor Drive between Park Boulevard and Cesar E. Chavez Parkway as the City works to upgrade infrastructure in the area. 
 

Is the thought of traffic getting your cape all ruffled? Consider public transportation instead! Here’s more information on expanded MTS bus and trolley service during Comic-Con. 

Starting June 12, California homeowners whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable by recent disasters—including the San Diego floods—can apply for up to $20,000 in mortgage relief through the new CalAssist Mortgage Fund. 

The $105 million program, managed by the California Housing Finance Agency, offers grants covering up to three months of mortgage payments for homeowners affected by disasters that were declared a state or federal emergency between January 2023 and January 2025. These funds do not need to be repaid and will go directly to mortgage servicers on behalf of approved applicants. 

Applications will be reviewed on first-come, first-served basis. Given the finite level of resources, households are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to be considered for the program.  

More information and application materials are available at CalAssistMortgageFund.org.