Tuesday, December 29, 2020 - NEWS RELEASE

SAN DIEGO – As part of his efforts to remain directly involved in the City’s response to homelessness, Mayor Todd Gloria today visited the emergency operation at the San Diego Convention Center, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, and heard from representatives of partner agencies about the shelter’s challenges, successes and opportunities.

“Today’s tour was incredibly helpful,” Mayor Gloria said. “I saw and heard firsthand how much careful planning and work the City, County, Housing Commission, RTFH and our service provider and convention center teams have put into successfully operating a large-scale shelter during this pandemic. This coordinated work and the connections made with residents who are homeless, will pay dividends far into the future as we continue our efforts to make sure everyone in San Diego has a place to call home.”

During his two-hour visit, Mayor Gloria was shown the core areas of the shelter, including two spaces that serve nearly 900 people per night operated by Alpha Project and Father Joe’s Villages; the medical unit that provides access to general care, COVID-19 testing, behavioral health services and serves as intake processing for new clients; the Incident Command Center for staff; and housing navigation areas.

Staff from the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission, Convention Center, Alpha Project and Father Joe’s Villages offered Mayor Gloria an overview of the operation, which opened in April 2020.  

A portion of the discussion detailed the roles and structure that have helped the temporary shelter at the Convention Center quickly adapt and respond to issues that have arisen for many regional organizations involved. The shelter follows the standardized response structure known as an Incident Command System (ICS) that is often used in fire, hurricane, earthquake and other disaster or emergency situations.

The primary role of ICS is to establish planning and management functions to work in a coordinated and systematic approach.

The system has allowed for clear lines of communication among all partners; the acquisition of supplies such as personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer and other needs to prevent the spread of illness; oversight of adherence to pre-established protocols for cleaning, physical distance and mask-wearing guidelines; and identifying and quickly transitioning individuals who test positive for COVID off-site until they are medically cleared to return.

The City of San Diego has served as the lead agency for the Incident Command out of the Convention Center, under the leadership of Deputy Fire Chief Chris Heiser, who has decades of experience in EMS and fire response. Leadership from the other agencies fill the other critical roles on the team.

“In my career with San Diego Fire-Rescue, I’ve seen the ICS system deployed successfully for many natural disaster and relief efforts, but never for a homeless shelter during a health crisis,” Deputy Chief Heiser said. “San Diego has proven that this model can be applied and adapted for even the most unique circumstances and be successful in achieving the desired objectives. I’m honored to have been selected to lead such a critical incident serving San Diego’s homeless population.”

Since April, Operation Shelter to Home has served more than 3,600 people in San Diego experiencing homelessness with a safe place to shelter. It provides 24-hour security, meals, showers, bathrooms, laundry services, healthcare, mental and behavioral health services, and housing navigation services. The concerted efforts to find housing for shelter residents have helped more than 1,055 individuals and 43 families obtain permanent and longer-term housing. Hundreds more have been matched to housing resources like vouchers or other rental subsidies.

Updates on the shelter are posted online at sandiego.gov/coronavirus/sheltertohome.