SAN DIEGO (FOX 5\/KUSI) \u2014\u00a0San Diego City Councilmembers are raising concerns after reports that 21 people have died in city-run safe sleeping sites in San Diego since opening in 2023.<\/p>\n
“It’s not acceptable for anyone to die in the city’s care, and it certainly can’t ever be acceptable for us to know that deaths occur on a somewhat regular basis and that we’re not changing the way that we’re doing business there,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera.<\/p>\n
The data was shared during a city council discussion on the Community Action Plan on Homelessness Monday.<\/p>\n
The city is spending $280 million in Fiscal Year 2026 to fight homelessness.<\/p>\n
“What I’m struggling with is efficiency and accountability and who’s actually in charge,” said Councilmember Henry Foster III during the meeting.<\/p>\n
Other data shared included:<\/p>\n
More than 6,000 shelter beds\/units are still needed to meet 2029 needs and goals.<\/p>\n
More than 1,500 resources are needed each year for interventions such as prevention and diversion.<\/p>\n
The city said it served 10,775 people experiencing homelessness in 2019. So far in 2026, it has served 14,769 people, a 37% increase. The city said that overall homelessness is higher than the 2019 baseline it tracked.<\/p>\n
The average length of time people are remaining homeless is increasing, from an average of 771 days in 2019 to 980 days in 2026 — a 27% increase.<\/p>\n
More people are exiting homelessness and going into permanent housing than before. An increase of 36%, from 4,616 people in 2019 to 6,279 in 2026.<\/p>\n
Fewer people are returning to homelessness: a slight decrease of 0.7% in 2019 compared to 2026.<\/p>\n
![\"<em>(Credit:](\"https:\/\/fox5sandiego.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/10\/Community-Action-Plan-on-Homelessness.png\")
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