Dear Neighbor, 

I’m excited to share an important update on our continued efforts to address homelessness in San Diego. Today, in partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), we announced the expansion of our emergency homeless shelter system, which will add 363 new beds. 

We will be opening 165 new beds at the site of Veterans Village San Diego primarily serving veterans and seniors—two of the most vulnerable populations in our community. 

Additionally, we’re repurposing the former County Serial Inebriate Program facility to add 56 beds for people struggling with substance use disorders. Lastly, 37 beds have been secured at the San Diego Rescue Mission's new regional facility in National City, bringing even more capacity to serve unhoused individuals from across our city.  

Further, in partnership with our Housing Commission, Regional Task Force on Homelessness, and service providers, we are implementing new diversion strategies to free up beds faster. This includes flexible financial assistance, shared housing solutions, and targeted case management—ensuring that we’re helping people exit shelters more quickly and get into stable homes.  

This significant progress is part of our broader strategy to get people off the street and connected to care while ensuring that our shelters can help more people transition into stable housing. 

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.  

Alongside City Councilmember Vivian Moreno and community members, we celebrated the long-awaited opening of Riviera Del Sol Neighborhood Park in Otay Mesa. 

This brand-new, 4.8-acre park is one of five new parks that will open this fiscal year as part of my ongoing commitment to ensuring that every San Diegan has access to safe, vibrant parks and recreational spaces. 

The $9.5 million project transformed an empty lot into a beautiful community hub with playgrounds, a basketball court, fitness equipment, picnic areas, and even a large, functional sundial to symbolize the park’s name, "del Sol" – meaning "of the sun." 

I’m proud of the work we’re doing to bring more parks to neighborhoods like Otay Mesa, part of our continued focus on building healthier, more connected communities for all San Diegans. 

It was a privilege to recognize soccer superstar Alex Morgan with the Key to the City – our highest distinction – for her extraordinary contributions to San Diego both on and off the field. 

Alex's legacy goes far beyond her accolades as a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. She has been a tireless advocate for equal pay in women’s sports, shattering barriers and inspiring countless young athletes, including my own niece, who’s one of her biggest fans. 

Throughout her career, Alex earned 224 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team, scoring 123 goals and solidifying her place as the fifth all-time leading scorer. Her impact on women’s soccer is unparalleled, and her work for gender equity will continue to benefit future generations of athletes. Presenting her with the Key to the City was a fitting tribute to her remarkable career and her enduring influence on San Diego and the world.  

I know her work, and the work of the Alex Morgan Foundation, will continue to make our region a better place for everyone.  

We’ve reached an exciting milestone in our Trees for Communities initiative with the planting of our 1,000th tree in San Ysidro! 

This initiative, which began with the planting of the first tree in Logan Heights on Arbor Day, is an essential part of our commitment to expanding San Diego’s urban forest, particularly in underserved communities. 

Trees are more than just a source of shade — they play a critical role in cooling our streets, improving air quality, managing stormwater runoff and making our neighborhoods more livable. As we work toward our goal of 35% tree canopy cover by 2035, we are planting trees that will bring long-term environmental, social and economic benefits to all San Diegans. 

Through this initiative, our team of arborists selects the right species of trees based on each location’s needs, with input from the community. 

By investing in our urban forest, we are building a greener, healthier future for San Diego. 

The City of San Diego's Economic Development Department has released the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Request for Qualifications (RFQ) application for nonprofit organizations. The deadline for RFQ submissions is November 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. (PST).

The CDBG program provides funding for various projects, including housing, public services, workforce training, and assistance to low-income entrepreneurs, all aimed at benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals in San Diego. 

Once an organization qualifies through the RFQ process, it will be invited to submit project proposals for funding consideration. The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released on December 9, 2024, with a submittal deadline of January 17, 2025. 

The San Diego Tourism Authority’s 2025 Tourism Accelerator application is now open. 

This program is a great opportunity for small businesses owned by women, veterans, people of color, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who want to tap into the tourism industry and elevate their businesses to the next level. 

The accelerator includes a year of mentorship, training and advertising valued at more than $15,000. 

The application for the 2025 Tourism Accelerator Program is open now through Nov 8, 2024. 

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is gearing up for the summer of 2025 by recruiting seasonal lifeguards. Swim tryouts are scheduled for Jan. 16, 17, 18, 2025, at 8 a.m. at Ventura Cove. 

To qualify for an interview, candidates must swim 500 meters in under 10 minutes. 

With over 40 miles of shoreline to patrol, SDFD lifeguards are essential to ensuring the safety of millions of visitors. Interested candidates should apply online two weeks before their tryout date.