City, County, and Federal governments, Republicans and Democrats — the only way we are going to truly address our homelessness issue is by working together. No politics, no showboating, just public servants rowing in the same direction to get it done.

That sort of collaboration is what led to last month’s grand opening of a new Safe Parking Lot in Grantville. Those in need will not only have a safe place to sleep in their vehicles overnight but will also be offered services and connections to longer-term housing.

One day, this site will be turned into hundreds of units of affordable housing for seniors and other San Diegans in need. But thanks to the leadership of Supervisor Joel Anderson and others, the site will go to good use as a Safe Parking Lot in the interim.

Thank you again to Supervisor Anderson, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, County staff, and all who worked together on this project. Together, we can make a dent in the homelessness crisis by using strategies that are backed by data and truly work to connect folks to housing. There is zero doubt in my mind that Safe Parking Lots are one of the absolute best and most cost-effective strategies we have at our disposal.

Constituent services are the bread and butter of what we do. If you have a neighborhood issue that we can assist with, we encourage you to reach out like residents in Del Cerro did. Thanks to their outreach regarding some vegetation encroachment on sidewalks and roadway off Madra Avenue, my team was able to work with the Transportation Department to get it removed and cut back.

Thank you to city crews for keeping our public right-of-way clean for everyone to enjoy. Take a look at the cleared sidewalks below!

Join me for another Coffee with Campillo this weekend!

We've got the coffee covered--just bring your questions, concerns, and ideas. It will be this Saturday, September 6 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the Bayside Community Center. The address is 2202 Comstock Street, San Diego, CA 92111.

Being an elected official isn’t just about making decisions — it’s about listening. These conversations help shape the work I do at City Hall, and I hope you’ll stop by and share what’s on your mind. RSVP by emailing VVettiyil@sandiego.gov

San Diego State University and AvalonBay Communities recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for an upcoming housing development in Mission Valley, which I had the pleasure of attending! The complex will feature 621 apartments, retail spaces, and sustainably-focused public art.

I look forward to seeing the finished community. I am confident it will bring many new residents, jobs, and joyful experiences to Mission Valley. Congratulations to SDSU and AvalonBay for this outstanding development project and its groundbreaking.

Our neighborhoods and institutions are strong because of the individuals who show up every day to do their part. Ted Ortiz, a longtime San Carlos resident, is one of those individuals who demonstrates consistency and care in the pursuit of building community.

For years, Ted has been out at Pershing Middle School and Gage Elementary with his yellow cart and picker stick to keep the fields clean, collect balls, and return cones. Last month, my Senior Community Representative, Anthony Hackett, had the pleasure of presenting Ted with a special commendation and recognizing him as our August Local Luminary.

Thank you, Ted, for the kindness you have invested in our community throughout the years. Your impact is immeasurable.

The City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department (ESD) provides opportunities throughout the district for residents to leave bulky items on their curb for pick up. Serra Mesa residents on Fensmuir, Glenhaven and Hurlbut participated in a recent mini cleanup to remove a total of 3.94 tons of waste! I extend a big thank you to ESD staff for organizing this service and to the residents who took advantage of it.

Interested in having a Mini Bulk Cleanup on your block? ESD hosts one to two a month and determines the location by referencing a running list of residential requests. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with your request. We are happy to pass your street name along to ESD.

Our neighborhoods are so fortunate to have community-led organizations that promote wellbeing and social connection. These groups, like Tierrasanta Kiwanis, are also critical to connecting public institutions with residents. As advocates for a better Tierrasanta, the Kiwanis club always shares with me important insights and hopes for the broader community.

Last month, I had the pleasure of joining Tierrasanta Kiwanis for a morning meeting. I gave them an update on my work at City Hall and answered their questions regarding the City budget, the trash fee, parking at Balboa Park, and more.

Face-to-face conversations with residents are a huge priority of mine. Thank you to the Tierrasanta Kiwanis club for hosting me and for your important work!

Locals know that, at the end of August and the beginning of September, the real San Diego Summer has arrived. It’s often hottest this time of year as the marine layer burns off earlier and the air gets dryer. While Mission Trails is a beautiful place to enjoy year-round, extra caution is advised when the temperatures rise.

Please keep your loved ones—including your furry friends—safe by following heat exposure safety tips. If you plan to hike, be sure to pack enough for everyone coming along. Consider wearing SPF-rated gear, apply sunscreen, and wear a hat to keep your face and head out of direct sun. Choose to hike earlier in the morning or in the evening. You can also opt for shadier hikes, such as the Visitor Center Loop or the Oak Canyon Trail.

This is also the time of year that we must exercise fire caution the most. Keep leave no trace principles in mind when you visit the park and other fire-sensitive areas of the city. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep San Diego fire safe!

As you might recall, Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation recently concluded its Annual Photo Contest. Following awards from a panel of judges, the Foundation opens its gallery up to the public and asks for votes on a People’s Choice award. The results came in and the winner was... a tie!

MTRP Foundation asked the public to cast votes to break the tie. Congratulations to John Haney, whose photograph titled “Sailing” (pictured below) took the ultimate win! Thank you to the MTRP Foundation for hosting this incredibly fun annual contest, to all those who entered, and to those who participated in the voting process.

Last year, I concentrated a great deal of effort on behavioral health in San Diego. Behavioral health is, in many ways, a nexus of many challenges—substance use disorder, mental illness, environmental factors, socioeconomic status, disability, homelessness, and more. This complexity makes it difficult to address through legislation, but it also presents a unique opportunity to meet people where they are, offer them multi-pronged assistance, and truly change lives through treatment and care.

That’s why it is so important to break down as many barriers as possible for people to get the help they need—whether those barriers are financial, bureaucratic, or even the stigma surrounding seeking care.

It is at facilities like Father Joe’s Villages’ new 45-bed detox center—which I was proud to stand with Father Joe’s Villages to announce last year—where this critical work is being done to treat people in behavioral health crises.

Thanks to the permitting reforms I pushed through City Council, life-saving projects like this are no longer stuck in red tape and are instead becoming a reality. I extend an enormous thank you to Father Joe’s Villages and all of their community partners for offering this resource in the City of San Diego. Your soon-to-open facility is, without a doubt, an enormous resource for our community.

There is other good news in this realm—overdose deaths are down 21% in San Diego County. This data is promising. Any overdose death is one too many, but every dent we can make in the crisis is a win for San Diego. I will continue to champion policies and programs that reach those in need.

One of San Diego’s greatest strengths is our diversity. Our immigrant communities, cultural institutions, festivals and special events, and diverse neighborhoods are at the core of our identity. I had the pleasure of attending a handful of cultural events last month and would like to thank them for not only inviting me, but also for hosting these public events that discuss history, celebrate and share their cultures, and bring people together for joyful moments.

I joined Afghan Family Services and the Azizi Foundation for a celebration of Afghanistan’s 106th Independence Day. What an honor to be able to meet so many wonderful members of San Diego’s Afghan community — thank you for being so welcoming and for your contributions to District 7 and San Diego as a whole.

I was proud to officially declare August 19, 2025 as Afghanistan 106th Independence Day in San Diego!

I also attended House of Ukraine’s Annual Festival and Lawn Program in Balboa Park, which celebrated the 65th anniversary of the House of Ukraine as well as the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. It was a lively event featuring food, music, dancing, and more.

I’m grateful for the House of Ukraine’s support to refugees from the war, many of whom I got to meet at this event. I extend a heartfelt welcome to the newest members of San Diego’s Ukrainian community—your bravery and perseverance inspire us all.

Sincerely,