Two months ago, the City completed a major effort to provide housing and shelter resources to individuals living in encampments along the San Diego River near I-5 and Friars Road. Crews removed 78 tons of trash and broken appliances, restoring the area and paving the way for environmental recovery. 

Recently, the San Diego River Park Foundation organized a volunteer cleanup to target remaining debris partially buried in the sand. City equipment, staff, and contractors joined the effort, removing remnants of waste from the area. 

Additional, smaller cleanups since then have removed about three more tons of debris that was just below the sand. The results have been impressive. 

"Environmental Services was proud partner with the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department who used outreach and support teams to make sure housing and shelter options were available before we went in and removed remaining trash and debris,” said Franklin Coopersmith, Deputy Director of the City’s Environmental Services Department. “We're committed to maintaining this area and partnering with other City departments and community groups to sustain those efforts. Happy to report there is a noticeable increase in the amount of wildlife in this area since our work there first began." 

“After the initial cleanup, this area continues to look clean,” the San Diego River Park Foundation recently confirmed.  

The City remains committed to helping people experiencing homelessness find shelter and housing and maintaining the river as a thriving natural habitat. 

This holiday season, Justin Reeb and Dullanni Waterman celebrated a new chapter in their lives—a home of their own after nearly a decade of homelessness. 

The couple, along with their two beloved dogs, recently moved into the PATH Villas El Cerrito supportive housing complex, marking the end of years spent living in an encampment near the San Diego River. 

Their journey to stability began when City-funded outreach teams connected them to resources through a four-month effort to address encampments along the river. Supported by a state Encampment Resolution Fund grant, the initiative provided temporary and long-term housing options to those living in the conditions that can quickly turn dangerous in the rain. 

“I feel a lot less burdened – a lot less stressed,” Dullanni said. “We didn’t give up. We didn’t get complacent or comfortable with the situation.” 

The couple’s determination and support from PATH San Diego outreach workers played a key role in their success. Outreach teams helped Waterman sustain employment, providing rides to interviews and assistance with job opportunities. 

“My biggest thing is – I’ll be at peace when I have a roof over my head and a door that locks,” said Justin. “I have that now, and I smile a lot more.” 

For others experiencing homelessness, Waterman offered advice: “It’s not going to be a cakewalk or happen overnight—it takes effort and action. But if you really want it, you can make it happen.” 

Justin and Dullani’s story is one of many successes demonstrating the impact of San Diego’s efforts to reduce homelessness and help individuals build better futures for themselves. 

Addressing homelessness remains one of my top priorities, and in 2024, we made tremendous progress. 

Through expanded partnerships and innovative programs, San Diego has continued to provide real solutions for those experiencing homelessness, helping more people get off the streets and into safe, stable housing. 

Since 2021, we’ve more than doubled the number of shelter options available in our city. This year alone, our City-funded outreach, shelter and family-reunification programs connected 1,673 people to long-term housing. These efforts are part of a larger strategy that has helped more than 25,000 individuals and successfully placed nearly 4,700 into permanent homes over the last four years. 

We also made significant strides in creating affordable housing. In partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission, we leveraged the state’s Homekey program to convert an extended-stay hotel into 160 new homes. This addition brings our Homekey portfolio to more than 600 homes, demonstrating how modest local investments can create lasting solutions. 

Recognizing the importance of mental health and substance use treatment, we streamlined the development of behavioral health facilities, increasing the capacity for providers to deliver critical services. We also launched the San Diegans Together Tackling Homelessness fund, which has already raised more than $1.3 million to support local solutions. 

On the state level, we successfully advocated for $1 billion in Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Funding for California cities in the state’s final budget. This funding supports several programs, including shelters, Family Reunification, Safe Parking, and outreach.  We also launched two of our State of California Encampment Resolution Funding projects related to unsafe encampments along the I-15 corridor and the San Diego River.  

Additionally, we secured unanimous Coastal Commission approval to use the H-Barracks site as a Safe Parking lot, providing unsheltered San Diegans with a safe place to park while connecting to critical services and housing. 

Through these efforts, we’ve proved that meaningful progress is possible—which is why, even facing a budget deficit this upcoming fiscal year, now is not the time to slow down. It’s time to double down. 

Over the next four years, I will remain laser-focused on the priorities that matter most to you: reducing homelessness, keeping our communities safe, building more housing and fixing our roads and storm channels.  

Last week, the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department led another Community Coordinated Access to Resource and Engagement (CARE) event in Mission Valley, bringing together outreach teams and partner organizations to engage with unsheltered residents. 

These efforts connected individuals to critical services like access to basic medical care, vaccinations, mental health screenings, benefit enrollment and outreach specialists, including family reunification services. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ mobile medical unit was on-site, along with veterinary care and pet supplies for individuals with animals. 

These events wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of our government and nonprofit partners. Together, we’re working to ensure everyone has access to the support and resources they need to get back on their feet. 

Homelessness shrinks for the second straight month in San Diego County (San Diego Union-Tribune) 

County homelessness programs sometimes don’t track key information, report finds (San Diego Union-Tribune) 

Mayor Gloria challenges county, state leaders on homelessness in State of the City speech (Axios San Diego)