San Diegans deserve real opportunities to own a home in the city they love. My administration’s new community-driven housing initiative — Neighborhood Homes for All of Us — is looking to make that possible.
This effort seeks to create attainable paths to homeownership by allowing small-scale, thoughtfully designed homes — like rowhomes, townhomes, and cottages — in neighborhoods where they make sense.
San Diego’s housing shortage has made it increasingly difficult for families, first-time buyers, and middle-income households to stay in the communities they grew up in. Eighty percent of our residential land is zoned only for single-family homes, and rising prices have put too many of those neighborhoods out of reach. At the same time, much of today’s new construction consists of smaller, for-rent apartments, which don’t always meet the needs of growing families.
Neighborhood Homes for All of Us aims to bridge that gap by creating more for-sale options that fit comfortably within our existing communities.
The first step is getting input directly from San Diegans. We’re beginning this work by listening — gathering feedback, hosting workshops, and working with community members across the city to create a policy that truly works for all of us.
This policy will be drafted with your input from the ground up. Your guidance will help determine what these homes should look like, where they fit, and how they can strengthen the neighborhoods we all care about. Please send your questions or comments to NeighborhoodHomes@sandiego.gov or sign up for email updates on our Neighborhood Homes for All of Us webpage.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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City Council Vote Keeps License Plate Readers in Use to Solve Crimes
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I’m grateful the City Council voted to continue the San Diego Police Department’s use of automated license plate reader technology. This decision keeps an important crime-solving tool in place that is already helping detectives solve robberies, recover stolen vehicles, and identify dangerous suspects.
Since 2024, it has supported more than 600 investigations and contributed to recovering 440 stolen vehicles, $5.8 million in stolen property, and at least 20 firearms, along with more than 420 arrests. Vehicle theft also dropped 20 percent from 2023 to 2024 in the first year of use. These are real outcomes that help keep San Diegans safe.
That said, San Diegans raised concerns at the City Council hearing, and I have heard them. We are working with the City Attorney’s Office and the San Diego Police Department to explore a Request for Information to ensure this technology continues to meet my Administration’s, the City Council’s, and the community’s standards for privacy, safety, and accountability.
We will continue to pair this technology with strong safeguards. Data is retained for no more than 30 days unless needed for an active investigation. Access is limited to trained users, and every search is logged and reviewed. License plate reader data is not shared with federal immigration agencies, and it will not be used to track people seeking reproductive care.
Public safety is my top priority, and this vote keeps us moving forward with smart, accountable tools that turn leads into arrests.
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Prop. 36 Enforcement and Treatment Approach Linked to 23 Percent Drop in Downtown Property Crime
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The passage of Prop. 36 is delivering real results for our communities. In Downtown, property crimes are down 23 percent, and that’s a clear sign that holding repeat offenders accountable and expanding access to treatment is making a difference.
Retail theft is not a victimless crime. It impacts workers, business owners, and increases costs paid by consumers. Prop. 36 gives law enforcement clearer tools to respond when businesses call, and it supports a treatment-first track for people struggling with addiction so they can break the cycle of repeat offenses.
This progress takes real collaboration. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is bringing solid cases, and the San Diego Police Department is responding and enforcing the law. The Downtown San Diego Partnership is supporting businesses in real time, and the San Diego Organized Retail Crime Alliance is closing the gap between public and private efforts to identify and stop organized theft.
My message to the public is simple: if you see theft happening, report it. Your information helps hold offenders accountable and helps keep our city safe.
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Mayor Gloria Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging HUD to Protect Continuum of Care Funding
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In a joint letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, we raised serious concerns about proposed changes to the FY25 Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity. The proposed timeline and new funding caps would disrupt years of progress and undermine the stability cities rely on to plan, deliver, and sustain housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.
For nearly 30 years, cities have partnered with HUD and local service providers to use Continuum of Care funding to deliver counseling, substance use treatment, and permanent supportive housing. In San Diego and communities nationwide, permanent supportive housing has been one of the most effective tools to help people exit homelessness and remain stably housed. Capping this funding would leave many without a place to call home and strain already stretched local systems.
We also called on HUD to preserve the historic two-year funding cycle that cities depend on for stability and coordination. Abrupt changes would weaken local homelessness response systems at a time when housing costs remain near record highs and low-income households are struggling to afford rent and basic necessities.
Protecting and stabilizing Continuum of Care funding is essential to ensuring communities have the tools they need to keep people housed and move forward with proven strategies to reduce homelessness.
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🏊 Mayor’s Mix: San Diego’s Iconic Landmarks Edition! 🏊♂️️
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Last week, we asked: Which shoreline was used as a key filming location in the Hollywood classic “Some Like It Hot”?
▪️ Coronado Beach — 89.47%
▪️ Torrey Pines — 7.24%
▪️ Mission Beach — 3.95%
The correct answer is Coronado Beach. The 1959 film starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon filmed scenes along the shoreline near the historic Hotel del Coronado, forever linking Coronado to one of Hollywood’s most iconic comedies and cementing San Diego’s role in film history.
This week’s question: Which iconic San Diego landmark was once home to the world’s largest indoor saltwater swimming pool and was reportedly used by actor Johnny Weissmuller for swim practice?
▪️ The Plunge pool at Belmont Park
▪️ The pool at Hotel del Coronado
▪️ Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina’s pool
Answer below or send your guess to AskTheMayor@sandiego.gov — 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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Ronda Avenue Resurfaced in Serra Mesa
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No street is too small or overlooked for our Mill and Pave resurfacing teams. A short segment of Ronda Avenue in Serra Mesa was recently repaved after years of wear, improving a stretch of roadway that had been in very poor condition. Using citywide street condition data, long-term pavement planning, and historical pothole repair trends, our teams make permanent repairs that extend the life of our roads and reduce the need for repeat fixes—delivering smoother, safer streets for neighbors across San Diego.
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Ronda Avenue in Serra Mesa
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Monopoly: San Diego Edition Debuts Aboard the USS Midway
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Aboard the USS Midway Museum, the unveiling of Monopoly: San Diego Edition showcased the neighborhoods, landmarks, and local institutions that define our city’s character. Featuring parks, museums, small businesses, and iconic places, the board highlights the pride and personality that make San Diego unique. Seeing our city represented in one of the world’s most recognizable games reflects San Diego’s place on the global stage.
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Marking a Decade of Cross Border Xpress
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At Cross Border Xpress near Otay Mesa, regional leaders marked ten years of a groundbreaking connection that has reshaped binational travel. Since opening in 2015, Cross Border Xpress has served more than 25 million passengers, linking San Diego directly to destinations across Mexico and beyond. The milestone recognized the vision and partnerships that made CBX a powerful driver of regional connectivity and economic opportunity.
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Winter Wonderland Brings Holiday Joy to Southeastern San Diego
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In Southeastern San Diego, the annual Winter Wonderland event transformed the neighborhood into a festive gathering space for families and children. With toys, resources, and tons of snow, the event offered a place for neighbors to connect and celebrate the season together. Thanks to community leader Karla Ruiz, the San Diego Police Department, the Diamond Business Improvement District, and dedicated volunteers, the event reflected the strength and generosity of the community.
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Holiday Meal Distribution Supports Families in City Heights
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At Fire Station 17 in City Heights, Bomberos de San Diego and community partners came together to distribute 300 holiday meals to local families. Working alongside the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, volunteers helped deliver full meals to neighbors identified through local schools. The annual effort highlights the power of service, partnership, and compassion in supporting families across City Heights and surrounding neighborhoods.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Building Economic Opportunity Through UK–San Diego Cooperation
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I was proud to join the British American Business Council’s (BABC) annual Christmas luncheon and reflect on the strong UK–San Diego business and economic ties that continue to fuel opportunity in our region. I also underscored the significance of San Diego’s bid for the 2029 Invictus Games, led by BABC - an effort that showcases who we are as both a world-class sports city and a proud military town. With the UK serving as one of our top sources of foreign direct investment, partnerships like these deliver real results for San Diegans.
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Free Compost and Mulch Available for San Diego Residents
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San Diegans looking to improve their gardens and landscapes can take advantage of free compost and mulch made from recycled food scraps and yard trimmings through the City of San Diego’s Organic Waste Recycling Program. Residents can self-load up to two cubic yards of compost and mulch at the Miramar Greenery, helping create healthier soils while reducing waste and supporting climate goals. Learn more about how to access these materials and upcoming opportunities at sandiego.gov/freecompost.
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Help Shape the Future of Recreation Programming in San Diego
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The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents to help shape the future of recreation in San Diego. Community input will guide how recreation centers operate, what programs are offered, and how residents receive information about them.
The Parks and Recreation Department is inviting community leaders and representatives to 45-minute Zoom focus groups to share ideas, flag barriers to participation, and improve how we communicate about programs. Sessions include a brief presentation, Q&A, and an interactive survey. Registration is required.
Upcoming dates (by Council Districts):
Upcoming Virtual Focus Groups
- Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025: Council Districts 1, 2 and 5
4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026: All Council Districts
11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026: All Council Districts
4 p.m.
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Civic Center Plaza Comes Alive with Plaza Central Pop-Ups
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Downtown’s Civic Center Plaza is getting a vibrant refresh with Plaza Central — a new series of pop-up events bringing food, music, and art to the heart of the city. The activations are free and open to the public every Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a lively preview of the area’s long-term revitalization.
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Stay Informed with Inside San Diego
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and information about our city through Inside San Diego, our new hub for all things San Diego.
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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Get the latest news from the City on Inside San Diego
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