San Diego has made some changes to its policies regarding the homeless.
According to an April 21 news article, the city council recently voted to look for a year-round, permanent solution to the problem of homelessness. The work will center on the St. Vincent de Paul's Paul Mirable Center, which is located in the East Village. However, in order to facilitate the work, two shelters closed last month, and neither the Veterans Village of San Diego nor the Alpha Project will reopen in the fall.
When the winter shelters closed, almost 250 people were left without shelter. However, the San Diego Housing Commission says that the shelter is likely to have an additional 250 beds by July 1.
The president of Alpha Project, Bob McElroy, says it will be difficult to find those who stayed at the shelters in the winter. He notes he and others are trying to remain in touch with them, and keep them secure, but it is very difficult to remain in contact when people are living on the streets.
St. Vincent de Paul's executive director, Ruth Bruland, says on any given day, thousands of people visit the center. Officials might consider working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents to let them know where the shelters are and their capacity.
