San Diego County supervisors on Tuesday voted on two items to address housing and homelessness while also hearing an update on a drop in gun violence in the region.
Veteran homelessness
The county will expand a program aimed at ending veteran homelessness, as proposed by Supervisor Jim Desmond. Dubbed “Leave No Veteran Homeless,” the campaign would continue social media outreach to property owners on the benefits of participating in the federal Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program while providing a landlord fund to cover damages that exceed security deposits.
The county introduced “Leave No Veteran Homeless” in 2023 and it has helped 1,200 of them find places to live, Desmond said. The federal VASH program accepts veterans who pay a portion of rent based on their income, with a voucher covering the rest. Supervisors supported the program on a unanimous vote.
Affordable housing
They also voted unanimously to approve $12.4 million in conditional funding for an 82-unit proposed supportive housing project near Rady Children’s Hospital. The facility would focus on those with serious behavioral health needs.
The housing, at 7798 Starling Drive, would be a partnership between the San Diego city and county governments and the San Diego Housing Commission.
According to Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s office, the county funding is “expected to unlock” $35 million in state Homekey funding, $10 million from the city of San Diego and 40 federal Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers. Homekey is a statewide effort to “sustain and rapidly expand” housing for people who are homeless or at risk.
Gun violence
According to a report released Tuesday, firearm-related homicides have dropped 22% in the county since 2020.
In the county, from 2020-2024, there were 1,071 deaths by firearm – 734 suicides and 337 homicides.
Last year, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office filed 368 criminal charges tied to ghost gun seizures, including for manufacturing, possession and distribution. In addition, more than 2,600 firearms have been voluntarily turned in at gun safety events.
The county has a ghost gun ban and a policy allowing for officials to sue gun manufacturers, a tool now being used in court to block the sale of illegal DIY gun kits.
Reserves
Supervisors earlier in Tuesday’s meeting also debated a plan to dip into reserves as the county faces a budget deficit. The proposal failed.
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