City’s Winter Homeless Shelter Program to Begin
Shelters Open Wednesday, December 15; Program Extended by City Council

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego will begin the operation of the 2004-2005 Winter Homeless Shelter Program with the opening of two shelter locations at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15 for single adults and veterans, as well as a new system of care for families.  The City Council voted on November 8^th to extend the annual Winter Shelter Program up to 30 days, contingent on funding, in an effort to provide shelter during the anticipated, extended rainy season.  With a possible 30 day extension, the Winter Shelter Program could remain open until mid-April 2005.

The 2004-2005 Winter Homeless Shelter Program marks the 18th consecutive year the City of San Diego has assisted the homeless during the coldest and wettest winter months.  The programs will provide meals, shelter and social services, including medical and mental health attention, for up to 410 homeless San Diegans daily.

The two shelters are located at different locations, each with its own social service operator. The single adult program will provide 200 beds nightly at 1535 Newton Avenue in Downtown’s East Village and will be operated by the Alpha Project.   The Vietnam Veterans of San Diego will operate the site located at 2801½ Sports Arena Boulevard in the Midway/Sports Arena area, assisting 150 veterans. 

The family program will be managed through a City and County collaborative with the San Diego Rescue Mission and the YWCA.   As part of the County’s existing hotel/motel voucher program homeless families will be provided safety and shelter.  Families will enter the program at the Rescue Mission’s overnight emergency shelter program where the County will provide case management and assessments for each family to find placements within the voucher program followed by placement in the Cortez Hill Family Center and other appropriate housing.  This approach provides full case management throughout the program and expands the potential length of stay from 90 to 150 days.  By providing case management from initial contact the successful outcomes such as stability, income resources and long-term housing are enhanced. 

“As in years past, the most challenging population to provide for is the families,” said Kimberly Pearson-Brown, Homeless Services Coordinator for the City of San Diego.  “All of the year round shelter programs are full and there are not enough facilities available to house this population.  This collaboration will provide case management and a longer period of housing than previously available.”

The City of San Diego, the County’s Health and Human Services Agency and a number of other nonprofit agencies will provide more than 1,500 hours of supportive services, including medical and mental health care and substance abuse recovery programs at each of the program sites.  The $497,000 budget for the 2004-2005 Winter Homeless Shelter Program is comprised of funding from the City of San Diego, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the San Diego Housing Commission.  Additional funding was provided by the San Diego City Council contributions and core program funding.

To find out how to make contributions or volunteer to help the homeless in San Diego, contact the Community and Economic Development Department at (619) 236-5990. 

For more information on winter shelter assistance throughout the San Diego region, contact INFO LINE.  This County-wide referral service is open 7 days per week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. Clients can reach INFO LINE by calling:

Greater San Diego Area:           (619) 230-0997
North County Coastal:              (760) 943-0997
North County Inland:                (760) 740-0997
Outlying Areas Only:                 (800) 227-0997
TTY Service:                            (858) 300-1311

# # #

With an emphasis on the City’s urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the City of San Diego’s Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.