In the past three weeks, we’ve helped 16 people living in dangerous freeway-adjacent encampments by connecting them to shelter options and support services.
This progress is the result of our new agreement with Caltrans giving City crews access to address unsafe encampments along select state right-of-way areas around Downtown. In just 23 days of work, our crews have removed more than 44 tons (88,000 pounds) of trash and debris and completed 57 abatements, making these areas safer and cleaner for everyone.
Our local agreement with Caltrans represents a stronger, more coordinated effort to reduce encampments in places that are unsafe for everyone — and to ensure that the people living there are treated with dignity while being connected to the help they need.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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'The Hub’ Helping Connect People to Housing and Support
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When someone is ready to seek help to prevent or end their homelessness, the last thing they should face is a maze of phone calls or office visits. The Hub is breaking down those barriers by offering a streamlined way to connect people experiencing homelessness with the right resources—often in less than 24 hours.
A call to 211 now connects people experiencing homelessness directly to an outreach specialist, who completes a brief intake and refers them to The Hub. From there, navigators quickly assess needs and link clients to services such as safe parking programs, shelter, housing application assistance, employment readiness, food assistance, or diversion strategies that guide people at risk of homelessness toward immediate housing alternatives.
Those who prefer in-person support can visit The Hub at the Downtown Central Library six days a week. By combining virtual and in-person services, and through strong partnerships with the San Diego Housing Commission, the Downtown San Diego Partnership, and 211, The Hub is making help more accessible, responsive, and effective.
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New Housing Protection Unit Targets Unsafe and Substandard Housing
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The HPU will focus on housing and code violations, including noncompliance with the City’s tenant protection and short-term residential occupancy ordinances. By shifting deputies from the criminal division to handle these civil matters, the unit can pursue civil penalties—an approach proven to be more effective in achieving compliance and improving housing conditions.
Residents can submit online service requests to report issues such as substandard housing, fire hazards, illegal dumping, abandoned properties, and other housing-related concerns. The goal is clear: make sure all housing in San Diego is safe, lawful, and livable for everyone.
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👍❤️ Mayor’s Mix: Park Trivia ❤️👍
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First, the answer to my last trivia question:
I asked: One of San Diego’s oldest surviving neon signs used to light up which kind of business?
Answer: B) A chop suey restaurant
That’s right—the historic Chinese Village Chop Suey Café sign still glows in North Park, a reminder of the neighborhood’s vibrant past and one of the city’s most iconic vintage landmarks.
✅ A chop suey restaurant – 60%
A dance hall – 9%
A movie theater – 31%
Now, for this week’s question: Which San Diego park was the first to be designated as a public park in the city’s history?
A) Balboa Park
B) Presidio Park
C) Horton Plaza Park
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Paradise Hills Street Gets Permanent Repairs
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Calle Gaviota in Paradise Hills is the latest street to benefit from the work of one of the City’s mill-and-pave teams. Guided by the Citywide Street Condition Assessment, Pavement Management Plan, and historical pothole repair data, crews completed lasting repairs that improve pavement quality and extend the life of the roadway. These permanent improvements mean we won’t need to return for additional pothole repairs on this segment for years to come!
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Calle Gaviota in Paradise Hills
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Expanding Opportunities for Veterans at Workshops for Warriors
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Workshops for Warriors marked a major milestone in Barrio Logan with the opening of its Veterans Advanced Manufacturing Training and Accelerated Apprenticeship Center. This expansion doubles the organization’s capacity to train veterans and transitioning service members for high-demand careers, offering hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and nationally recognized certifications. The program boasts a 95% job placement rate, helping graduates secure well-paying jobs while strengthening the region’s manufacturing workforce. San Diego is a proud military town, and this investment honors our commitment to veterans by preparing those who served for the careers of tomorrow.
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Regional Leaders Discuss Strategies to Address Homelessness
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The 3rd Annual Ending Homelessness Summit, hosted by Senator Catherine Blakespear at UC San Diego in La Jolla, brought together local leaders to share strategies for reducing unsheltered homelessness. The discussion highlighted our City’s progress in funding shelter options and affordable housing initiatives, while underscoring the need for continued collaboration and sustained state funding to maintain momentum and connect more people with stable housing to end their homelessness for good.
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Community Support for Students in Paradise Hills and City Heights
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Back-to-school events in Paradise Hills and City Heights celebrated and supported local students and families. In Paradise Hills, Bell Middle School staff and community partners welcomed students with music, resources, and a commitment to creating safe, inclusive learning environments. In City Heights, the Chicano Federation provided nearly 1,000 students with backpacks, supplies, and essential goods, reflecting its broader mission to strengthen families through education, housing, and economic opportunity.
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An Evening of Music at The Rady Shell
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The San Diego Symphony’s summer series at the world-class Rady Shell venue Downtown featured Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo performing alongside the orchestra. The sold-out performance showcased the Symphony’s role in enriching San Diego’s cultural life and demonstrated the city’s support for world-class arts programming that brings the community together at one of its most iconic waterfront venues.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Exploring Global Resiliency: A Conversation with our Sister City in Israel
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I met with Ori Epsteinthe, the Mayor of Sha’ar HaNegev, San Diego’s Friendship City in Israel, to exchange lessons on resiliency—conversations made all the more poignant by the tragic loss of their previous mayor, who was killed in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Our decades-long bond with Sha’ar HaNegev is grounded in shared values and a mutual commitment to building safe, inclusive, and thriving communities that champion diversity, innovation, and human connection. These international partnerships bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and trusted allies that strengthen our ability to tackle challenges here at home.
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Volunteers Needed for San Diego Police Department Crisis Intervention Program
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The San Diego Police Department is seeking volunteers to join its Crisis Intervention program, which provides short-term emotional and logistical support to residents experiencing traumatic events such as suicide, homicide, or overdose death. No experience is necessary; training is provided, and bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply. To learn more, including upcoming information sessions, visit sandiego.gov/police/recruiting/volunteer.
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Deadlines Approaching for Trash Service
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With the implementation of voter-approved Measure B, our Environmental Services Department is updating how the City provides trash collection. Property owners need to take action before upcoming deadlines.
▪️ Eligible single-family homes: If you receive City-provided trash service, you have already, or you will be receiving a mailer with a unique code and instructions to create an account at wasteportal.sandiego.gov. This is where you select the size of your trash container and enroll in service. If you cannot locate your mailer or the login information inside, please contact us at 858-694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov. The deadline to make your selections is September 30, 2025.
▪️ Ineligible properties: Homes that no longer qualify for City service must contract with a private hauler. Mailers sent to these property owners include instructions and a list of approved providers. For additional information on transitioning, please see sandiego.gov/trash-service-updates or contact 619-533-4440 or wasteservice@sandiego.gov.
For more information, including eligibility details, timelines, and resources, visit: sandiego.gov/trash-service-updates.
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