Resident praises Presidio Palms affordable units, thanks San Diego Housing Commission and Mayor Todd Gloria

A Presidio Palms resident identified in the transcript as Jalen told those gathered that moving into a unit there had meaningfully improved his daily life and thanked the San Diego Housing Commission and Mayor Todd Gloria for the housing opportunity. "This is a very safe space," Jalen said, noting the site is fenced, has security at the entrance and "it's clean, a clean living environment." He said he was grateful to be able to take a two-hour shower after leaving Alpha Project, where showers are limited to 15 minutes: "Because I was coming from Alpha Project where you can only take a 15 minute — a 15 minute shower. You have to be in and out and you have to be always thinking of the next person."

Jalen also described cooking for himself and adapting to life at the development: "My first week here... I made some turkey necks, collard greens, cornbread." He said he would "do whatever I have to do to make sure that I'd be the change that I wanna see in the world."

Event staff closed the celebration by inviting media and others to request one-on-one interviews or unit tours; the presenter pointed attendees to Scott Marshall and Susie Caywood for follow-up. No council action or vote was recorded during the celebration portion of the transcript.

Why it matters: The remarks put a human face on the city's recent affordable-housing work and illustrate the day-to-day impacts residents say they experience after moving from emergency shelters into permanent supportive housing. The testimony occurred before the formal council meeting and was presented at a community celebration tied to the Presidio Palms project.

The event host said reporters could schedule interviews and view a unit on the first floor; city staff names were given as points of contact. The formal council meeting then proceeded with roll call and routine opening items.