San Diego is facing a critical shortage of shelter options for its homeless population, exacerbated by an ongoing dispute between city and county officials that has further reduced available bed space.
The Rosecrans homeless shelter, located in the Midway district, has recently ceased accepting new residents, leaving 14 beds vacant as of Wednesday.
Bob McElroy, the CEO of Alpha Project, which operates the shelter, expressed his frustration at the suddenness of the situation, stating, “I’ve never had this happen in 40 years.”
The shelter was established in 2022 to assist residents struggling with mental health issues, and the collaboration between the city and county had been touted as a significant partnership in addressing homelessness.
However, their relationship deteriorated last month when San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria proposed a budget that would eliminate the city’s $4 million annual funding for the shelter.
Gloria cited concerns over a neighboring building’s impending demolition, which raised issues regarding flooding risks and significant road disruptions due to construction debris.
During a press conference, he questioned, “Do we really need to do this? I don’t believe that they do.”
Alongside the planned closure of Rosecrans, city officials are pursuing the development of new shelters tailored for specific demographics, including women, children, and young adults, as well as establishing a safe parking lot for individuals living in their vehicles.
Despite these efforts, the mayor emphasized that if county leaders are committed to keeping Rosecrans operational, they should shoulder the financial responsibility since much of the shelter’s population requires behavioral health services that fall within the county’s jurisdiction.
County officials, however, have pushed back against this notion.
Supervisor Joel Anderson criticized the city’s approach, arguing that it is unfair for the county to prioritize the city’s needs at the expense of essential services, such as road maintenance in unincorporated areas.
Like the city, the county also grapples with a budget deficit.
The current political landscape complicates matters, with county leaders awaiting the outcome of an election that could provide a tie-breaking vote on key budget issues.
This week, county supervisors took a step to support the Rosecrans shelter by unanimously approving $800,000 for new utilities, as the current operations rely heavily on the soon-to-be-demolished structure.
The funds aim to help establish new infrastructure to ensure the shelter remains operational.
However, the overall cost for new utilities is uncertain, with estimates potentially exceeding $2 million.
Some county representatives have floated the idea of engaging philanthropists to contribute towards the shelter’s operational costs, thereby allowing it to remain open for several more years.
As Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer noted, Rosecrans is “necessary for our region.”
The building designated for demolition— the County Health Services Complex— is in a state of disrepair, displaying visible damage and structural issues.
County officials have disclosed that the complex, which has been vacant for years, incurs an annual maintenance cost of approximately $600,000 to $700,000 to prevent mold growth and avoid more significant cleanup expenses.
Demolition is scheduled to commence in March 2026, and the timeline involves stripping the building’s insides— likely extending the process due to the structure’s considerable size and potential asbestos hazards.
Before starting the demolition, county officials have pledged to implement protective measures, including dampening debris to minimize dust exposure.
The plan is to utilize the newly freed-up land for the expansion of the nearby psychiatric hospital.
As for the future of the Rosecrans shelter, it now hinges on the San Diego City Council’s decisions.
With the agreement delineating responsibilities between the city and county set to expire in July, council members will need to finalize a budget that addresses these urgent issues.
During a recent council meeting, President Joe LaCava highlighted that the allocated $800,000 for new utilities was insufficient for comprehensive needs.
Several council members shared concerns and called upon the county to increase its engagement in tackling homelessness within the region.
Despite the ongoing tensions, some council members, including Jennifer Campbell, expressed a willingness to extend the shelter’s operations until demolition activities commence.
The homeless crisis in San Diego is stark, with over 5,700 individuals countywide experiencing homelessness as of January, according to the latest point-in-time count.
Although this figure shows a slight improvement from the previous year, many contend that the city’s attempts to provide shelter remain insufficient, as around one out of every ten requests for accommodations were fulfilled in recent months due to full capacities.
A spokesperson for the San Diego Housing Commission confirmed the suspension of intake at eight local shelters, including the bridge shelter, the Bishop Maher Center, Connections Housing, and the Haven Interim Shelter.
As McElroy from Alpha Project reflected on the ongoing crisis, he raised concerns about the potential fallout from this disagreement, stating, “These clients trusted us, maybe for the first time.”
The current rift between city and county officials highlights the urgent need for a collaborative and effective approach to combat the homelessness issue in San Diego.
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