Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Diego council approves short‑term shelter plan to replace Golden Hall capacity
Summary
The City Council approved a short‑term action plan to replace shelter beds lost with the closure of Golden Hall and to expand diversion and safe‑sleeping programs. Staff said 263 replacement beds and expanded safe‑sleeping capacity are funded within the FY25 budget.
San Diego City Council on Dec. 9 approved a short‑term action plan designed to replace shelter capacity being lost as Golden Hall closes and the Paul Bridals center converts to a detox program. City homelessness staff said the package relies on expanded safe‑sleeping sites, diversion assistance and new interim shelter beds already budgeted for fiscal 2025.
Sarah Jarman, director of the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, told the council the plan adds roughly 235 safe‑sleeping spaces at two sites and that, “Each space has capacity for up to two individuals,” while SDHC and provider partners identified new interim shelter beds overseen by the housing commission.
Casey Snell of the San Diego Housing Commission described diversion work that aims to move people directly into housing, saying the initiative supported 68 household exits to permanent housing in November, 23 of them with diversion resources. The staff presentation said the replacement options add about 263 beds for single adults, veterans and people with alcohol or substance‑use disorders and that interventions total roughly $3.5 million within the FY25 adopted budget.
The Independent Budget Analyst’s office (IBA) concluded the operating cost of the 263 beds can be accommodated within existing budget resources by redirecting previously allocated funds and savings; IBA staff told the council no new general‑fund impact is anticipated for FY25.
Public speakers included service providers and people with lived experience who supported the plan while urging a stronger emphasis on permanent housing. Akayla Templeton, CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego, said her organization opened space to receive clients and praised the city’s partnerships. Lived‑experience advisors urged more housing and better prevention efforts.
Councilmembers praised the cross‑agency coordination and the effort to accommodate Golden Hall residents’ first choices. Councilmember Whitburn said diversion “is a tool that we can leverage much more” and the council asked staff to return with ongoing results and implementation updates.
The council voted to adopt the short‑term action plan and related staff recommendations unanimously.
