More than 100 transients who were living in winter homeless shelters that recently closed have been approved for permanent housing, and about two-thirds have moved into their new homes, the San Diego Housing Commission announced today.
Of the 700 people who lived in a shelter on Newton Avenue in Barrio Logan this winter, 102 were approved for permanent housing and 71 have moved into their new homes under a 12-month program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to the commission.
The others are still looking for a place to live or are awaiting move-in dates.
The federal funding pays for security deposits and a portion of monthly rent.
"To have these types of positive outcomes, where housing is provided to persons battling homelessness, is particularly satisfying,'' said Rick Gentry, the president and CEO of the commission.
About a third of those who have found new residences are renting from private landlords, while others are living in motels and a complex owned by the commission.
The Newton Avenue shelter closed on Monday and will be converted into a campus for the charter Monarch School.
The city recently bought a downtown building to convert into a permanent homeless shelter, but it will still need a winter shelter for one more year, at a site that has yet to be determined.
A cold weather shelter for homeless veterans closed today, after providing services for 330 former military personnel.
