San Diego Council Land Use and Housing Committee Approves Proposal for Permanent Homeless Shelter in Downtown

SAN DIEGO, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Wednesday evening, the Land Use and Housing Committee of the San Diego City Council approved a proposal to develop a one-stop-shop for homeless rehabilitation at the old World Trade Center building on 6th Avenue in downtown San Diego.  The plan, which would cost $31 million, would provide temporary and permanent housing for up to 225 people.  The proposal passed the Land Use and Housing Committee with a three-to-one vote, and is now scheduled to go before the full City Council.

"This homeless shelter model has been successfully implemented in other cities across the US.  The goal of the program is to move homeless people from the streets to permanent housing," says James Silverwood, President of Affirmed Housing Group, the project's master developer.

The plan has five main components, including: individual assessments to help each person get off the street, a service center to assess the root cause of homelessness, a medical clinic to address physical and mental health issues, transitional housing, and permanent housing.  Experts believe that the plan could save taxpayers millions long-term. With an estimated 4,300 homeless individuals in the City of San Diego, this model can be duplicated around the city and county.

The proposed development team, coined "Connections Housing/Downtown San Diego" will be managed by three organizations, including: Affirmed Housing Group; PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), Southern California's leader in innovative approaches to ending homelessness; and Family Health Centers of San Diego, the nation's second largest federally-qualified health center system.  

About Affirmed Housing Group

Headquartered in San Diego, Affirmed Housing Group is dedicated to improving and sustaining the viability of California through the development of affordable housing.  The company aims at enhancing communities and our environment by building dynamic, professionally-managed, high-quality green multifamily housing.  Areas of expertise include site selection, engineering, architecture, construction, relocation, and marketing.  Affirmed also has extensive knowledge in public finance, low-income housing tax credit acquisition, and tax-exempt bond financing.  For more information, visit www.affirmedhousing.com.  

SOURCE Affirmed Housing Group