Community Outreach: San Diego

The Port of San Diego will consider the expansion of its homelessness outreach with two programs after the initial success of efforts to help people living on the streets.

The port has partnered with the Alpha Project since January 2014 to conduct interviews and assess the homeless population on the port's waterfront, known as the tidelands. The Alpha Project staff acts as case workers who guide people who are homeless to available services in the region.

From January 1 to August 31, 2014, 943 people were counted as living along the waterfront. Alpha Project staff provided nearly half of them with offers of water, blankets, placement at a shelter or other services. They included 138 men and 40 women who agreed to shelter placement during that time period.

"The port is addressing the condition of homelessness from a compassionate and humanistic perspective," said Port Commission Chairman Bob Nelson. "We don't believe in shuttling people struggling with homelessness from one place to another, but rather want to respectfully offer services to help them get the support they need."

Port staff is researching whether to expand the port's participation in a program led by the Downtown San Diego Partnership to install "donation stations," similar in appearance to parking meters. The program, Donation Stations/Make Change Count, is intended to help discourage panhandling and raise funds for programs. In the past two years, the port has installed four donation stations on the waterfront, where people can redirect money they might otherwise have given to panhandlers to support homeless outreach projects.

In addition, port staff is researching whether to participate in another DSDP program, Work Your Way Home. This program is designed to reunite homeless individuals in downtown San Diego with family back at home to help end the cycle of homelessness. Since the inception of the program, more than 380 individuals have been reunited with loved ones who welcome their return.

Staff is looking at the costs and feasibility of both programs and will make a recommendation to the board of port commissioners at a future date.