Dec. 20, Mayor Gloria Announce Opening of New Shelter for Homeless Seniors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 20, 2022
CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov
Mayor Gloria Announces Opening of New Shelter for Homeless Seniors
WITH LATEST ADDITION, CITY HAS INCREASED AVAILABLE BEDS BY MORE THAN 600 THIS YEAR
SAN DIEGO – Continuing his efforts to open more shelters to bring people experiencing homelessness off the streets, Mayor Todd Gloria announced today that Seniors Landing Bridge Shelter, a new, 33-room non-congregate facility, is ready to welcome its first residents.
“This shelter is the latest step in our comprehensive strategy to address homelessness in San Diego, with solutions specifically tailored to the needs of seniors, who we know are falling into homelessness at higher rates right now,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. ”My administration is working every day to bring more shelters online to get more people experiencing homelessness off the street. This Seniors Landing Bridge Shelter is the latest example of that, with more to come.”
The shelter, which is being operated by Serving Seniors under a contract administered by the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, will prioritize residents 55 and older who have been matched with housing resources, such as rapid-rehousing assistance, permanent supportive housing or a housing voucher. The City is leasing the hotel through June 2023, with two one-year renewal options.
“Seniors are the fastest-growing population of people becoming homeless in San Diego. This is an unacceptable tragedy that requires urgent response,” said Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. “The privacy and dignity afforded by non-congregate shelters are a proven way of addressing homelessness amongst seniors and putting our elders on a path to permanent housing.”
In September 2021, Serving Seniors released a Needs Assessment focused older adults at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
“The Serving Seniors Needs Assessment report determined congregate shelters often don’t accommodate older adults experiencing homelessness who have vulnerabilities including health, disability or safety concerns,” said Paul Downey, CEO of Serving Seniors. “The City of San Diego has moved quickly to establish much-needed solutions like the Seniors Landing Bridge Shelter. Serving Seniors enthusiastically supports this new approach toward solving our troubling older adult homelessness crisis.”
Residents of Seniors Landing Bridge Shelter will have access to health resources, including mental and behavioral health services; case management and housing navigation services; daily meals; showers, restrooms, laundry services; storage for belongings; hygiene products, basic first aid supplies and cleaning supplies; telephone access and mail services; and counseling services.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of several successes in the Mayor’s comprehensive approach to homelessness, including the opening of the 150-bed Rosecrans Shelter; the opening of a Safe Haven for those experiencing homelessness and struggling with substance abuse; expansion to 24-hour operation at one of the Safe Parking Program lots; and the State of California’s official designation of San Diego as a Prohousing City, which gives San Diego an advantage when it comes to state grant funding for housing.
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