Progress is being made to move individuals experiencing homelessness from both the San Diego Riverbed and the Sweetwater Riverbed.  To date, 179 people have been moved from the two riverbeds into permanent or temporary housing, and 1 person has been reunified with their family. On average about 20 people per month since January have been moved from riverbeds.

“Our efforts to clear homeless encampments from the riverbeds are working. We are seeing steady progress month after month,” said Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “We are moving people from the outdoors to housing. We are also protecting the waterway by cleaning up the embankments and clearing the debris left behind. 180 people relocated is a strong start, but we have more work to do.”

Every unhoused person has a unique story, but some of the folks living near the rivers have been there multiple years, and they are operating as survivalists. It takes a specially trained group of people to build relationships and trust. People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) is one of the services providers specifically working in the San Diego River to help relocate the unhouse.  

“Each person’s episode of homelessness is unique, and people build shelter and find community where they feel most safe. Many unsheltered people along the San Diego River seek isolation and do not typically seek out services or support. That is why it is so important that we meet unhoused San Diegans where they’re at and build trusting relationships. My colleagues and I that conduct outreach along the river take a person-centered approach and help people with their immediate needs while we work towards securing them with long-term housing,” said Kendall Burdett, Outreach Case Manager, PATH

PATH was recently recognized as the "Partner of the Year" by the San Diego River Park Foundation for our collaborative work to support our unhoused neighbors along the river. 

The San Diego River Park Foundation is another non-profit focused on helping the homeless who have congregated along different parts of the San Diego River. For years they have been documenting the number of people living near the riverbed between San Diego and Santee. In their latest census, done in the mornings from September 26-29, volunteers identified about 423 people living between the San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood and the City of Santee.  

Rob Hutsel, CEO, San Diego River Park Foundation said, “the number of people in our census area has grown over recent years but we are starting to see significant results as the $17M Encampment Resolution Funding program is implemented.  That impact is visible in Santee and now work is underway in the City of San Diego. This is being confirmed by the data we collect of the locations of people experiencing homelessness. Since we are seeking long term solutions to help people, and not simply displacement, we are very optimistic about the strategy to use these funds for riverbed outreach and services. Once people are helped, our work isn’t done as we will have many tons of trash to remove.”

According to the County of San Diego’s Department of Homelessness Solutions & Equitable Communities, in June of 2023 the County, the City of San Diego, City of Santee and California Department of Transportation received about $17 million to address homeless encampments in the San Diego riverbed. Around $4 million of the $17 million went directly to the City of San Diego. In September of 2023, the County, National City, Chula Vista andCalifornia Department of Transportation received $5.1 million for the Sweetwater Riverbed, including an area paralleling Interstate 805 in the South County and known as “The Jungle.”

Clearing homeless encampments is part of a comprehensive plan passed by Supervisor Lawson-Remer and the Board of Supervisors to tackle homelessness.

Last month Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer announced 244 San Diegans kept from becoming chronically homeless in just seven months because of a practice called Diversion. Between January and July of this year – when the $1 million Supervisor Lawson-Remer and philanthropic partners raised started being spent 209 unduplicated households were provided support and financial assistance. On average, it costs just $2,863 per household to return people to housing.

To learn more about Supervisor Lawson-Remer’s accomplishments involving homelessness, click here.