San Diego City Wire

Some of San Diego's largest riverbed encampments are witnessing progress through a collaborative effort by the County, the City of San Diego, the City of Santee, and the California Department of Transportation. This partnership focuses on homeless outreach and providing immediate shelter for those residing in the riverbed area.

The County received a $17 million grant from the state's Encampment Resolution Fund last fall. The grant aims to address encampments by helping people experiencing homelessness find safe and stable housing, connect to supportive services, and clean up the area.

With this funding, the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities has expanded outreach efforts to an estimated 300 people living along the riverbed. Since January, 91 individuals have moved from the San Diego Riverbed to emergency housing. In July, efforts began to transition these individuals into permanent housing, with 10 people having successfully made this move in the past three months.

The initiative is described as "compassionate work" that is transforming lives and providing safer, cleaner, and healthier living conditions for those who are unhoused.