Chula Vista mayor unveils city’s first homelessness action plan

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Mayor John McCann has unveiled Chula Vista’s first Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness, a five-year effort aimed at reducing the city’s unhoused population.

McCann announced the plan this week, saying the city recently secured $8.4 million in state funding to purchase a motel that will be converted into permanent supportive housing.

“One of the great things that we have just recently been granted is we were given an $8.4 million Homekey Plus funding to be able to buy a motel that will be permanent supportive housing,” McCann said.

As part of the plan, the city will host public workshops in October to gather input from residents and shape future policies.

McCann said the goal is not only to move people off the streets but also to provide services that support long-term stability.

“So we’re getting to the next chapter and the next level of being able to help homeless get off the street but also providing a unique opportunity for people who do need services,” he said.

Homelessness has long been one of the region’s most pressing challenges. City officials say encampments have largely been cleared from local streets, though many individuals have moved to state-owned property along freeway on- and off-ramps.

“We’ve done a very good job at getting homeless encampments and homeless off the streets in Chula Vista, but they have migrated to state property,” McCann said.

The city council recently passed one of the region’s strictest bans on homeless encampments. McCann said that since its adoption, Chula Vista has recorded a 6% decrease in the local homeless population.

Public workshops are scheduled later this month where residents can learn more about programs and services already in place.