City of San Diego issues formal request for potential shelter sites

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of San Diego is calling on property owners and managers to submit locations that could be potentially used as future shelter sites.

The city made the announcement Friday through a formal request for information, also referred to as an RFI. City leaders said the request is part of their plan to provide more short-, medium- and long-term housing options for those experiencing homelessness.

The city’s RFI was an appeal to property owners and managers to submit sites up for sale or lease that may be turned into a homeless shelter. The properties the city said it is searching submissions for range from smaller non-congregate buildings to larger sites like hotels and shelter facilities.

The city’s move mimicked a similar action by the San Diego Housing Commission last month, as they issued a request for qualification (RFQ) to identify potential collaborations with landlords and a separate RFQ for future service providers/shelter operators.

Due to the planned closure of the shelters at Golden Hall, Rachel’s Promise and Father Joe’s Paul Mirabile Center, the city said it anticipates a drop in the number of shelter beds currently available. As of Friday, the number of current shelter beds available is just over 2,500.

According to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ most recent Point in Time Count , more than 3,000 people in San Diego are without shelter.

Currently, the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department is working to expand safe sleeping and safe parking sites, city officials said. In July, the city also introduced a proposed lease agreement for a proposed campus called Hope @ Vine, for which lease negotiations are underway.

Interested property owners and managers have until Monday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. to submit potential locations. Anyone with questions or comments can send them via email to ShelterRFI@sandiego.gov by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.

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