Printer-friendly version
By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office
October 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- People experiencing homelessness and living in the Sweetwater Riverbed area have new hope for permanent housing. A state grant for $5.1 million and the collaborative work between the County, the City of Chula Vista, National City and California Department of Transportation has led to greater homeless outreach, increasing numbers of people transitioning into housing and regular clean-up opportunities.
The Sweetwater Riverbed includes an area in South County parallel to Interstate 805 nicknamed, “The Jungle.” Moving people out of the riverbed means safer, cleaner and healthier living conditions and a chance at a fresh start.
The grant is part of the state’s $240 million dollar Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) to help local jurisdictions resolve encampments. It is the second ERF grant awarded to the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities to lead this multi-agency work in our riverbed areas.
Since January, 91 people have transitioned from the San Diego Riverbed to emergency housing and in July, moves to permanent housing began. 10 people have left emergency housing for permanent housing in the past three months.
The results are inspiring.
Juan Ramirez has come along way. Before, he lived along the Sweetwater River in a tent and at times, in a treehouse. Then county workers reached out and gave him a tour of an apartment that he now calls home.
He says the support he received was beyond his expectations. He says he cried with joy when he first saw the apartment, where his mother has since come to visit him.
Having a home has helped him turn his life around. He’s now working in a restaurant cooking burgers. “Now I’m blessed here,” he says of his new home.
Recent comments