City Clears Large Encampment Along San Diego River, Connects Dozens to Housing

The city has completed a four-month initiative to house people experiencing homelessness along the San Diego River near I-5 and Friars Road ahead of winter rains, officials announced Tuesday.

Crews used heavy equipment and boats to remove approximately 78 tons of debris from a large encampment as part of an effort supported by a state Encampment Resolution Fund grant.

As of Monday, 48 people have been connected to shelter or Safe Sleeping Program sites, with at least eight moving into permanent or long-term housing, according to the city. Thirteen more await housing placement and six others accepted shelter through the San Diego Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Teams.

“This cleanup and its dramatic and positive outcomes are the product of months of outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness along the river,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “This was a multi-jurisdictional effort with many partners working in the riverbed to ensure stable options were available for everyone.”

“Thanks to these partners and our hard-working city crews, we were able to shelter individuals who have been homeless for a significant period of time, which will undoubtedly save lives ahead of rain and tides that will cause the river to swell,” Gloria said.

The encampment closure and abatement are the first of a multi-phase approach along the San Diego River to connect the unhoused to resources, remove encampments and address environmental concerns under the state ERF grant.