Press Room

At the center of the struggle of meeting the homeless populations needs is an estimated 1,400 “chronically homeless” people who consume a disproportionate share of public resources. Our present system for dealing with the chronically homeless relies on temporary, stopgap measures that, despite great cost, fail to address underlying problems. But a plan is on the horizon that offers lasting, cost-effective solutions.

In 2005 a coalition of government, nonprofit and business leaders came forward with a comprehensive Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in the San Diego region. The plan, which draws on similar plans across the country that have proven to be successful, has two key elements: permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless and preventative measures to stop “at risk” individuals and families from sliding into homelessness.

The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in San Diego has been formally adopted by the city of San Diego, and its sponsors are now gearing up to implement it through a governing board and a full-time executive director. An early task will be to seek formal adoption of the plan by the county of San Diego and all other cities in the region.