In San Diego, wildfire season isn’t limited to a few months anymore—it’s year-round. And as we face the months ahead with an above-normal fire risk forecast through October, the City is taking proactive steps to ensure we’re ready and we’re urging residents to do the same.
I joined Fire-Rescue Chief Robert Logan and other public safety leaders to highlight how we’re preparing for wildfires and offer tips on how you can do the same. That includes new investments like brush rigs and an incoming fire helicopter, ongoing brush management on City land, and expanded services to help homeowners reduce risk and protect their property.
But preparation isn’t just up to our first responders; it’s something every San Diegan can take part in.
Let’s all do our part to stay safe and keep our communities protected.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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Calling All San Diegans: Share Your Housing Story
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I know that San Diego’s housing crisis is deeply personal—and I want to hear directly from the people who are experiencing it.
We’re launching a new social media video series called “Build More Housing: Stories of Struggle and Hope in San Diego” to spotlight the real experiences of San Diegans working hard to stay housed or move up the housing ladder in the city they love.
Whether you’ve faced challenges finding an affordable place to live, struggled with rent increases, or recently found stability through one of our housing programs, your voice matters.
Each short video will feature everyday San Diegans—from veterans and college students to teachers, retirees, landlords, and families—sharing their stories in their own words. These powerful accounts will help show why I’m fighting every day to build more housing across every neighborhood in our city.
📩 If you’re willing to share your experience, email Senior Communications Advisor Kinsee Morlan at kmorlan@sandiego.gov. Please include a few sentences about your story and your contact information.
Your story is a powerful tool that we can use to not only keep me informed but illustrate why we must continue to build more housing until every San Diegan can have a roof over their head at a price they can afford.
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👍❤️ Todd’s Trivia: Fire Facts and Neon Nostalgia ❤️👍
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First, the answer to my last trivia question:
I asked: In what year was the City of San Diego’s professional fire department established?
Answer: A) 1889
That’s right—San Diego’s professional fire department began in 1889.
Here’s how you smart readers voted:
Now, for this week’s question: One of San Diego’s oldest surviving neon signs used to light up which kind of business?
A) A dance hall
B) A chop suey restaurant
C) A movie theater
Answer below or send your answer to askthemayor@sandiego.gov with your best guess—and check back next week to see if you got it right!
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Fresh Asphalt Improves Safety in Otay Mesa West
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Picador Boulevard in Otay Mesa West is looking smoother and safer after receiving a full resurfacing. This stretch of road previously had a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score as low as 19—far below what’s acceptable for a quality ride. Thanks to our ongoing investments in street repair, it’s now been restored with fresh asphalt.
This is just one example of the road improvements happening citywide as we work to fix our streets and deliver safer, more reliable infrastructure for all San Diegans.
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Picador Boulevard in Otay Mesa West
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Uplifting Veterans at “Stand Down 2025”
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At Liberty Station, I joined Veterans Village of San Diego and community partners for “Stand Down 2025,” a powerful three-day event deditcated to the important work we each share in delivering vital services to homeless veterans and their families.
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Building Safer Neighborhoods at National Night Out
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At the Christopher Wilson Park in the Skyline neighborhood, I connected with neighbors, first responders, and community leaders during National Night Out—an annual event that builds trust and promotes public safety. Events like these strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Thank you to the Southeastern Division officers and organizers for creating such a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
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Breaking Ground on New Housing in Mission Valley
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At SDSU Mission Valley, we broke ground on Avalon Mission Valley—the first housing project at the new campus. This mixed-use community will bring more than 600 apartments and retail space to the area. It’s another step toward delivering more homes for San Diegans. I’m grateful to SDSU, AvalonBay, and Assemblymember Chris Ward for making this progress possible.
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Back-to-School Support at Parks After Dark
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At Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park in City Heights, we distributed backpacks, lunch boxes, and school supplies as part of Parks After Dark. By partnering with trusted community groups, we were able to reach families who might otherwise go without back-to-school essentials. Thank you to Mid-City CAN, SAY San Diego, BlueSky, and Price Philanthropies for coming together to support our students.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Connecting Across Oceans to Tackle Homelessness
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My team recently brought together homelessness experts from San Diego and our Sister City of Edinburgh, Scotland, to virtually exchange ideas and share best practices on how to reduce homelessness.
By learning from Edinburgh’s approaches and sharing our own, we gain fresh insights that can strengthen our local efforts to reduce homelessness and better serve San Diegans in need. Inspired by my initial conversation with Edinburgh's lord provost, our teams plan to continue this collaboration later this fall as we work toward lasting progress.
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State Launches CalAssist Mortgage Fund for Disaster-Affected Homeowners
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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.
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Improved Access to Development Services in Mission Valley
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The City has officially opened a new Development Services Department (DSD) facility in Mission Valley, offering easier access to permitting, plan checks, and land development services for San Diegans. Located at 7650 Mission Valley Road, the site features front counter services, self-help stations, and “The Edric” Hearing Room for Planning Commission meetings and other public hearings. This move out of the outdated Downtown location will improve service delivery and convenience for residents and developers alike.
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Stay Informed with Inside San Diego
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From community updates to important City announcements, Inside San Diego is your go-to source for staying engaged and informed as a resident.
Don’t miss out on critical alerts and updates—sign up today to receive notifications via email or text message.
It’s a simple way to stay connected with everything happening in our great city. Subscribe now!
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