As Cold Nighttime Temperatures Set In, San Diego Homeless Need Blankets, Jackets

With nighttime temperatures dropping to the low-40s and gusty Santa Ana winds moving in, homeless outreach teams are working to provide blankets and jackets to the hundreds of people across San Diego County who are sleeping on sidewalks, in canyons and under overpasses.

“We’re seeing a lot of people that are cold and in need,” said Amy Gonyeau, chief operating officer for the Alpha Project. “It’s been really tough for the team to see all this happening."

The nonprofit outreach team scours the county on a daily basis to help those in need.

Gonyeau said last week they found a mother with her two children, ages 8 and 11, sleeping outside.

“We’ve been reaching out to her every day since,” Gonyeau said. “She’s on (shelter) waiting lists. The resources need to be there to help people get off the streets immediately.”

But many shelters across the county are full, Gonyeau said. KPBS reached out to several shelters, including the Rescue Mission and Catholic Charities, who confirmed they fill up every night.

St. Vincent de Paul’s winter emergency shelter that contracts with the city of San Diego only opens if the temperature dips below 50 degrees and there’s at least a 40 percent chance of rain.

The most recent homeless census taken by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless shows there are nearly 5,000 people sleeping on the streets, which is 800 more than last year. One of those people is Tanya Jasper.

“It’s horrible,” Jasper said about sleeping on the cold pavement. “I mean, if you ain’t got enough blankets and stuff, and just recently my cart with everything was stolen. So I’m down to nothing again.”

The Alpha Project will continue efforts to keep people warm, said Gonyeau, but supplies are running low. She’s asking for the public’s help in providing blankets, sleeping bags, jackets, hats, mittens, scarves and other warm clothes.

“Anything you’d need if you were going out in the cold,” Gonyeau said.

If you'd like to help, donations can be dropped off at the Alpha Project’s Hillcrest office located at 3737 Fifth Ave #203, San Diego, CA 92103.

Items can also be taken to Alpha Square in downtown: 550 14th St, San Diego, CA 92101.