Why this matters:

San Diego County was projected to receive more than $40 million in permanent housing funds as the region continues to grapple with its homelessness crisis.

Support tomorrow’s news on housing. Donate today.
Give $10

Wall-to-wall photos of every member of her family, even the ones who refuse to talk to her, was what Cheryl Mesa pictured when she walked into a stable home of her very own after turning 60. 

After being in and out of homelessness since she was 13 — and struggling with addiction for most of that time — she had burned a lot of bridges.

“Not all my family talks to me. So I’ve got a picture of everybody in my entire family on my wall, so that when I do die, I’m gonna be surrounded by my family, whether they like it or not,” Mesa said. “I’m gonna laugh about it. Haha! You have to be here.”

Finally given the stability she needed to get off the streets and stay sober, she said she’s never been happier. Mesa has lived in the apartment for five years and envisioned spending the rest of her life at Benson Place, once an old motel that Father Joe’s Villages has since renovated into a permanent supportive housing complex. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced this month it is planning on reducing the total amount of funds that can go to permanent housing programs nationally to 30% of total continuum of care funds, leaving providers scrambling to figure out how to rebalance the coming year’s funding without displacing anyone on an unusually short timetable.

Permanent housing is a type of program within HUD’s continuum of care that comes in two forms: rapid rehousing, which helps transitioning people into long-term housing outside the program and could be winding down due to funding cuts; and permanent supportive housing, like where Mesa has been living. 

How we are covering the Trump administration

inewsource is reporting on the impacts of the Trump administration budget and federal funding cuts in San Diego. Has your organization or one you know lost funding? Have a tip and want to talk with a reporter? We want to hear from you.

Permanent supportive housing provides indefinite lease assistance alongside services for formerly homeless residents who have a disability, mental health or substance abuse disorder and have been previously chronically unhoused. Services can help with food, mental health, job training, childcare and more depending on individual needs. 

The state of California last year received more than $683 million from the continuum of care program, 90% of which went to permanent housing projects. San Diego County alone was expected to receive more than $40 million this year.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the legality of the cuts. 

“It could be devastating across the United States as a whole,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe’s, adding that in places with high costs of living like San Diego it’s an especially critical tool to fight homelessness.

“The vast majority of the people with whom we work will never be able to afford market-rate housing. It’s too expensive here. And these are not individuals who are able to have jobs that pay enough to be able to support themselves on market rate housing.”

Vargas said it isn’t all bad. With the increased funding opportunities for other programs they haven’t traditionally been able to fund like shelter beds, he is hopeful they will be able to rebalance the agency’s budget. 

But even if San Diego providers can manage to fund all existing units in the face of cuts, Vargas said housing projects that are in the pipeline aren’t going to be able to offer the permanent housing opportunity that Mesa has. 

Mesa worked low-wage jobs while living at Benson Place, first washing dishes, then as a cook and finally as a security guard before retiring this year at 66.

At one point she had the opportunity to receive a Section 8 housing voucher, which would have allowed her to rent a unit on the private market that’s available to anyone at any income level. But Mesa declined, saying the supportive services and structure she receives at Benson Place helps her combat her addiction and “stay away from old people, places and things.”

“I would die,” Mesa said, her voice cracking and her eyes welling up with tears as she considered what she would do if she lost the funding that pays her rent. “I would die because I’m just — sorry. I don’t know what I would do.” 

Type of Content

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.