The city got its first look Wednesday at what a permanent homeless shelter in San Diego might look like. But a city council committee voted not to forward the issue to the full council yet.
The Land Use and Housing Committee had to decide whether the city should consider entering into negotiations with a shelter service provider. But the committee decided it wants to first get feedback from the community before sending it to council.
Committee Chair Todd Gloria supported the motion to bring the issue back to the committee. But he says he won’t put it off again.
"I will expect decisive action the next time this is on our agenda. We are not delaying this item any longer. This year we will see some sort of proposal come through," he says.
A selection committee has chosen the Los Angeles based non-profit PATH to run the shelter. The group and local developer Affirmed Housing Group would develop the project. It’s proposing the shelter be located at the city-owned World Trade Center building on Sixth Avenue in downtown. It would be open to families and individuals. Cissy Fisher is with the San Diego Housing Commission.
"The concept here is that, to the extent that your community does a good an adequate job of providing permanent and supportive housing, you actually shrink your need for emergency shelter.," she says.
The shelter would have 225 beds, a medical facility and service providers on hand to assist residents. It’s estimated about 800 homeless people live in downtown San Diego.
