Following an announcement from Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, the City of San Diego expects to receive just over $25,800,000 in state funds to bring people off the streets and into supportive programs and housing through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP).
This is the sixth year in a row that the State of California has allocated this funding to the City, a testament to the effectiveness of the City’s programs managed by the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department (HSSD).
As chair of the California Big City Mayors coalition in 2023 and 2024, Mayor Todd Gloria strongly advocated for a continuation of HHAP funding so that cities can maintain the momentum they’ve created in meaningfully addressing homelessness.
“This funding reaffirms California’s commitment to reducing homelessness,” Gloria said. “Thanks to Governor Newsom and the State Legislature, cities continue expanding shelter capacity, street outreach, and getting people on the path to permanent housing. San Diego has been a good steward of these HHAP investments, creating hundreds of shelter beds and moving thousands of San Diegans into housing—proving that sustained investment makes a real difference.”
HHAP funding has been instrumental in supporting the City’s homelessness response. In 2024, previous HHAP awards along with other funding sources helped City-funded programs serve more than 4,200 people in shelters, 1,100 in the Safe Parking Program, and 700 in the Family Reunification Program, while also helping bring outreach services to 5,200 individuals. These programs were key to connecting nearly 2,700 people to positive housing situations.
While the funding amount is less than last year, the City will focus on using Round 6 funds to sustain existing homelessness and housing programs and services. Any new programs will require additional City funding that would be allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which will be approved in June.
The City of San Diego received $29.9 million in HHAP funding last year. Residents can track previous award spending through the HHAP Fiscal Data Dashboard.
Homeless census’ like the annual Point in Time Count does not count people in the City of San Diego’s Safe Sleeping and Safe Parking programs as sheltered, instead counting them as unsheltered despite their receiving the services typical of shelters. If the City had been able to include these individuals as part of the sheltered population in the most recent Point in Time Count, for instance, unsheltered homelessness in the City of San Diego would have dropped by 9.5% compared to the previous year.
To put the HHAP funds to use, City staff are required to prepare an application that will be submitted to the state. Additionally, the City will work in collaboration with the County of San Diego and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which will be receiving their funding allocations, to prepare a joint application.
“Our homelessness response system wouldn’t be as robust as it is without this critical funding,” said Sarah Jarman, director of the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department. “The HHAP program reinforces the commitment this City has made to continue offering life-changing services for thousands of San Diegans.”
Since 2018, the City has relied on grant funding for shelter bed expansion, safe parking programs, outreach, and rapid rehousing programs – among others. HHAP funding also helps protect the City’s General Fund, allowing the City to support additional homelessness programming to meet the growing need. The City has answered the State’s call for accountability by obligating and expending these funds in a timely and efficient manner.
To accept the funds, the City Council must approve the City’s application to the state.
This will be presented to the Council in an upcoming public meeting.
Crédito de la foto: Pixabay.com
