San Diego City Wire

San Diego County is taking steps to support board and care homes that provide essential services to adults and seniors with serious behavioral health conditions. These facilities, licensed by the state of California, offer a home-like environment with private or semi-private rooms, meals, housekeeping, transportation, medication management, and grooming support. However, many are at risk of closure due to financial challenges.

Currently, only eight board and care providers in San Diego serve individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who have serious mental illnesses. The availability of beds has been decreasing significantly; since 2019, the region has lost over 3,200 board and care beds.

To address this issue, a new state grant program aims to provide financial assistance to these facilities. San Diego County has already received $16.6 million from the Community Care Expansion – Preservation (CCE-P) Program. This initiative was established to prevent the closure of residential adult and senior care facilities serving SSI recipients. Operators can apply for grant funds distributed by the county for capital improvements such as construction projects and property upgrades.

This funding is intended to stabilize the struggling Board and Care community by ensuring individuals with serious behavioral health issues have secure housing options when needed most. The investment is expected to enhance their quality of life and treatment outcomes while helping prevent homelessness and unnecessary hospitalizations.