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Council extends PATH San Diego outreach contract for FY26 with $3.5M amendment
Summary
The council approved a fourth amendment increasing PATH San Diego's coordinated street outreach contract by $3.5 million for FY26 (total not-to-exceed $13.5 million); staff said $2.0M will come from the general fund and $1.5M from HAP grant funds after a funding swap.
The San Diego City Council on June 24 approved a fourth amendment to the city's agreement with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH San Diego), adding $3.5 million for fiscal-year 2026 operations and bringing the not-to-exceed contract total to $13.5 million.
Sarah Jarman, director of the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, told the council PATH operates the city's coordinated street outreach program. She said PATH's mobile response and rapid-response teams have served thousands over the life of the contract and that, from July 2024 through April 2025, PATH engaged nearly 2,200 individuals, made 288 housing connections and placed 181 people into shelter (notes on how HMIS captures placements were included).
Staff said the $3.5 million would be funded with $2.0 million from the general fund and $1.5 million from the state HAP grant; a funding swap was made after committee review to preserve eligibility for a future HAP application. Councilmembers asked about outreach coverage, the interaction between outreach and shelter capacity, and how outreach achieves placements. PATH and other commenters said outreach can place people directly into housing and that outreach is necessary to reach populations in hard-to-find locations.
Councilmember Von Wilpert, who pulled the item for discussion, and others pressed staff for longitudinal statistics; staff responded that PATH has served over 20,000 individuals over the life of the contract and made over 4,300 positive exits. PATH speakers described field realities, including populations in remote or Caltrans-controlled right-of-way areas where outreach options are limited.
Council approved the amendment 7-0, with Councilmember Campbell and Council President Lacava absent. The amendment authorizes staff to proceed with the contract extension and to issue a request for proposals for the program during the extension period.
