Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, and her colleagues, voted to accept more than $5 million in state of California funding Tuesday to help people experiencing homelessness who are living along the Sweetwater River in National City and Chula Vista.  

“Helping people transition from living outside in the elements and into housing is what this effort is all about,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We will deliver the wrap-around services and provide trauma-informed care the people need, and do the clean-up to ensure the riverbeds are returned to the intended use.  

The program is expected to begin outreach in late 2023 and be fully operational in 2024. 

According to the policy passed today, the Plaza Bonita encampment area stretches along the banks of the Sweetwater River in National City and Chula Vista around the Plaza Bonita Mall area including Caltrans property where freeways 805 and 54 intersect. This is a long-standing encampment that dates back many years and on average 75 individuals experiencing homelessness reside in this area. Encampments in this area have existed for decades and they have been resolved in the past, but the individual’s experiencing homelessness tend to return. 

The County will administer the funds for outreach, case management, and rental subsidies in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County, Caltrans right-of-way, and the City of National City. The County will partner with the City of Chula Vista via a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).