We are making real progress in reducing homelessness. The latest data shows a nearly 14% drop in homelessness within our city limits—proof that our investments in shelter, services, and housing are making a difference. Legislative changes at the local level—like our Unsafe Camping Ordinance—have also reshaped how we respond to encampments and expanded the tools available to get people off the streets and connected to care.
Still, far too many encampments remain—especially along state-owned land like freeway offramps, where the City cannot legally act because it’s state property. That’s why I’m co-sponsoring Senate Bill 569 alongside Senator Catherine Blakespear and the League of California Cities. The bill, which would require Caltrans to coordinate directly with cities and create formal encampment response plans to help clear state-owned sites more effectively, recently achieved the key milestone of passing the Senate’s Appropriations Committee.
The data show how we are doing the work to get people off the streets and into housing. SB 569 is one more way we can keep that momentum going and ensure every level of government does its part to get these people the help and care they need.
As one person living on Caltrans property recently said in an interview with some of my office staff, “We don’t really get messed with... they don’t really bother us. I guess it’s because it’s a freeway..” Another added, “People are just more comfortable... thinking like they’re not gonna be moved.” These firsthand accounts show why coordinated action is urgently needed.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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La Media Road Upgrades Bolster Economic Growth in San Diego
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We’ve completed one of the most important infrastructure projects in our binational region: the upgrade of La Media Road in the Otay Mesa neighborhood of San Diego. This key truck route supports the movement of billions of dollars in goods across the U.S.-Mexico border every year—and now it’s safer, wider, and more efficient.
Thanks to $60.6 million in investments, including $22.7 million in state funding, we raised the road to eliminate chronic flooding and widened lanes to ease congestion. This means faster freight movement, fewer delays for local businesses, and a safer roadway for the whole community.
Phase 2 is already in the works, with another $17.6 million dedicated to continuing these improvements further south.
I want to thank the Otay Mesa community for their years of advocacy, and our City teams for delivering this long-awaited, transformative project.
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Ask the Mayor: What is the City's Plan for the Rosecrans Shelter?
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The Rosecrans Shelter, a temporary structure located in the parking lot of the County’s Behavioral Health Complex, has provided a safe place to stay and get treatment for up to 150 homeless adults—many experiencing serious mental health challenges.
The City has invested $5 million annually to operate the shelter, while the County contributes $1 million for behavioral health services. But now, the County has informed us it plans to demolish a building, less than 20 feet from the shelter, and cut off essential water and power. The County expects the City to cover $1.2 million of the $2 million needed to restore utilities—costs that arise from a project the County itself is initiating.
Rather than subject vulnerable residents to months of noise, debris, and instability, the City made the difficult decision to relocate shelter residents to other City-funded facilities.
I’ve made clear that the County should fully cover the utility relocation costs if it wishes to move forward with the demolition of the adjacent building. More importantly, the County should take over the facility to continue serving people with behavioral health needs, using a small portion of its nearly $1 billion in unassigned funds, including a $52.6 million in surplus funds that the board just voted to squirrel away and leave unspent despite the mental health crisis on our streets. These are public dollars meant to support the community. Now is the time to use them.
What should I answer next? Vote on the question that matters most to you by clicking on the survey below, or you can email your own question to askthemayor@sandiego.gov.
▪️ Why Isn’t HHAP Round 7 in the State Budget—and what’s the City doing about it?
▪️ Did the City’s investment in the Pride Promenade contribute to the budget deficit?
▪️ When will the City paint red curbs within 20 feet of crosswalks to implement California’s Daylighting Law, AB 413?
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👍❤️ Mayor’s Mix: What’s on My Music Playlist? ❤️👍
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Here are a few songs that are often on repeat in my playlist:
“Freedom” by Beyoncé (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
This track is all about pushing through barriers and fighting for something bigger than yourself. The energy, the message—it fires me up for the work ahead.
“Run This Town” by JAY-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West
This one is a bold anthem about leadership and vision. I like the confidence in the lyrics—it reminds me why it matters to show up strong for San Diego every day.
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Smoother Streets Coming to Ocean Beach
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Crews are applying slurry seal to several street segments in Ocean Beach—including portions of Voltaire Street and Cable Street—to extend pavement life and improve driving conditions for residents. This work is part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve San Diego’s streets. Want to know what’s happening on your block? Visit streets.sandiego.gov.
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Honoring Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day
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San Diego is a proud military town, and this Memorial Day, I joined ceremonies aboard the USS Midway and atop Mt. Soledad to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our nation. We marked the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and honored San Diego’s own Lakiba Nicole Palmer, who died aboard the USS Cole. These events were powerful reminders of the courage and sacrifice that define our armed forces.
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Inspiring Young Voters with Dr. Weber’s Civic Challenge
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Through the Dr. Shirley N. Weber High School Voter Registration Challenge, 825 students from San Diego and Poway Unified were pre-registered or registered to vote. I joined students, educators, and civic leaders at City Hall to recognize the schools leading this effort. These young San Diegans are stepping up—and shaping our future.
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Honoring Culture and Community at the Asian Pacific Festival
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At the Asian Pacific Cultural Festival in Balboa Park, we celebrated heritage, tradition, and community from across the Pacific. From lion dancers to traditional music and food from across the Pacific, this event honored the vibrant cultures and communities that help shape our city. Thank you to the Asian Culture and Media Alliance for putting on such a meaningful celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I was proud to take part.
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Shining a Light on Balboa Park Champions
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At the annual sPARK Awards in Balboa Park, we celebrated the people and organizations working hard to preserve and enhance San Diego’s crown jewel. Honorees like the Balboa Park Online Collaborative, The Park TakeOver, and the California Native Plant Society are helping ensure this beloved public space continues to thrive for generations. Thank you to Forever Balboa Park for your ongoing partnership.
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San Diego on the Global Stage
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San Diego Celebrates First-Ever Diplomacy Day
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Last week, in partnership with the San Diego Diplomacy Council, my team hosted San Diego’s inaugural Diplomacy Day at Balboa Park’s International Cottages— a celebration of our city’s international ties. I’m grateful to our community partners and consular leaders, including Mexican Consul General Alicia Kerber, U.S. Consulate Principal Officer Bill Swaney, and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who presented a City Council proclamation and spoke on the importance of citizen diplomacy. The event earned praise, including coverage in the Times of San Diego, and highlighted how subnational diplomacy strengthens opportunity, connection, and understanding across borders.
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Montgomery-Gibbs Airport Operations Snapshot
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Following the tragic plane crash in Murphy Canyon, many residents have questions about operations at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. A new City overview helps answer those questions—including confirmation that the runway lights maintained by the City were working at the time of the incident. While the Federal Aviation Administration-owned approach lighting system was out of service, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued in advance. The FAA also owns the airport’s weather reporting system, which may not have been working at the time; however, no NOTAM had been issued and the City was not notified of any outage.
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EV Charger Installations Underway Across the City
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Do You have Unclaimed Money with the City?
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More than 800 individuals and businesses are owed a total of $916,418 in unclaimed refunds and payments from the City of San Diego. Check the Unclaimed Monies Report and submit a claim by June 16, 2025, to recover your funds before the deadline. Visit sandiego.gov/finance/unclaimed to search the list and learn more.
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Extend the Life of Your Belongings at a Fixit Clinic
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Don’t toss your broken items—repair them instead! Fixit Clinics, hosted by the City’s Environmental Services Department and Zero Waste San Diego, offer free workshops where skilled volunteers help fix household items like lamps, bikes, and clothing.
• June 21: Golden Hill Recreation Center
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Stay Informed with Inside San Diego
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