FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 20, 2021

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO Continuing his efforts to end chronic homelessness in San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria today joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge at a virtual event to launch House America: An All-Hands-On-Deck Effort to Address the Nations Homelessness Crisis.

House America is a national partnership under which HUD and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) invite mayors, county leaders, Tribal nation leaders and governors to use the historic investments provided through the American Rescue Plan to address the crisis of homelessness. This partnership uses a Housing First approach while immediately rehousing and building additional homes for those experiencing homelessness.

Im proud to join Secretary Fudge and the Biden Administration for the House America initiative. Addressing San Diegos housing affordability and homelessness challenges are two of the top priorities of my administration, Mayor Todd Gloria said. Collaborating with HUD and USICH will help us in our efforts to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.

House America is the federal governments direct response to the homelessness crisis, which was rising even before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, HUD released part one of its 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, which found that more than 580, 000 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in January 2020, prior to the pandemic. COVID-19 has created greater urgency to address homelessness, given the heightened risks faced by people experiencing homelessness, while simultaneously slowing rehousing activities due to capacity issues and impacts on rental-market vacancies.

Through the American Rescue Plan, the City of San Diego received 480 emergency housing vouchers and $21 million in HOME Investment Partnerships grants to connect more residents to stable homes.

As a member of House America, San Diego will partner with HUD to use these American Rescue Plan resources and other state and local dollars to rehouse 2, 065 households and add 1, 053 new units of affordable housing into the development pipeline by Dec. 31, 2022.

For additional information on House America, visit hud.gov/house_america.

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