With downtown San Diego homelessness hitting a record in December at over 1,800 people living on sidewalks and in vehicles, Alpha Project CEO Bob McElroy says better planning of housing is needed, and on a larger scale. Alpha has over 35 years of experience which McElroy encourages public agencies to draw upon when proposing new housing.

While the opening of a 36-unit facility makes for good PR, the rate of creation of low- and below-income housing is rapidly falling behind the pace of homelessness. In the most recent HMIS report (November 2022) the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness reports is serving over 26,000 active clients – seniors, families, and transition-age youth. On average over the last 12 months, RTFH notes, 10 people found housing for every 13 people who experienced homelessness for the first time. The problem is growing.