On June 13, 2023, the San Diego City Council will vote on the Mayor’s proposed encampment ban that will criminalize – not humanize – homeless community members who need housing, not handcuffs.

Becoming homeless can happen to anyone, especially those who are suffering from rising rents, job insecurity, lack of childcare support, mental health services, and other safety nets. The number of homeless people in San Diego is in the thousands and includes vulnerable community members, like children and youth. 

According to our analysis of school district data, there are 11,636 homeless students spread across all of San Diego city council districts. We must know the impact this proposed encampment ban will have on our City’s most vulnerable people, including the families and students who will be pushed away from their schools, public restrooms, services, and spaces.

The proposed encampment ban is not a plan. It does nothing to address the factors that lead to homelessness and keep people from emerging from it. Moreover, it violates the human right to housing — a fundamental right that the City Council affirmed only months ago in January of this year. 

What we need is a plan to help people with housing, and with temporary shelter until there is enough housing. The good news is the San Diego City Council approved a comprehensive Community Action Plan on Homelessness in 2019, but the Mayor has yet to implement it. The plan provides for short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions that would dramatically reduce homelessness… if the plan is fully implemented.  

Take Action With Us! 

Here are three ways you can support unhoused community members:

1. Sign the petition - click here

The San Diego City Council approved a comprehensive Community Action Plan on Homelessness in 2019, but it has yet to be implemented. Sign the petition to ask the City Council to call for an update and full implementation of the plan, not a ban.

2. Show up in person on June 13 at 1PM

Join us in person at the City Council meeting on June 13 at 1 p.m. at the City Administration Building, City Council Chambers - 12th Floor, at 202 C Street, San Diego, CA. The encampment ban will be considered in the afternoon session beginning at 1 p.m. under Item 613: Amendments to the San Diego Municipal Code Related to the Unauthorized Camping or Encampments on Public Property. 

You can also join the council meeting virtually or by phone at: 

• Virtual Participation: https://sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1601143486 
• Telephone Participation:: Dial 1-669-254 5252 + input Webinar ID: 160 114 3486 

3. Submit a public comment before Tuesday

Submit a public comment using the Agenda Comment Form asking the City Council to update and adopt the Community Action Plan on Homelessness in 2019. On the Agenda Comment Form, indicate the Agenda Item Number, which include:

• Item 613: Amendments to the San Diego Municipal Code Related to the Unauthorized Camping or Encampments on Public Property.

News on homelessness and our communities 

• Homeless encampment ordinance met with protests
• Homelessness in San Diego County rose 22 percent last year. More of them are women, seniors and veterans
• Downtown San Diego homeless population exceeds 2,000 for first time
• Regional census tracks unprecedented spike in homelessness
• Mayor Gloria calls for homeless encampment ban

Hear and share the stories of those impacted