NewsNBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsAugust 3, 2026San Diego
San Diego County mayors meet to coordinate regional homelessness response
Mayors and deputy mayors from 18 San Diego County cities met in a closed-door symposium to discuss regional street outreach, data collection, and service coordination. The meeting follows the release of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, which showed a 1% overall decrease in homelessness across the region.
Read the full story at NBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsWhy It Matters
This meeting represents a regional effort to align homelessness services and policies across 18 different city governments, impacting how resources and outreach are managed for the county's 9,803 homeless individuals.
Key Facts
- Total homelessness in San Diego County decreased by 1% from 9,905 in 2025 to 9,803 in 2026.
- Unsheltered homelessness declined by 11% (5,108 individuals in 2026 vs 5,714 in 2025).
- Sheltered homelessness increased by 12% (4,695 individuals in 2026 vs 4,191 in 2025).
- Senior citizens make up 33% of the unsheltered population, an increase from 29% last year.
- Over half of seniors experiencing homelessness are doing so for the first time.
- 80% of homeless individuals reported becoming homeless within San Diego County.
- The symposium is an annual event hosted by the San Diego Rescue Mission and funded by local business sponsors.
- The Regional Task Force on Homelessness conducts the Point-in-Time Count every January.
- The San Diego Rescue Mission will host an outreach event called 'BedReady' on Aug. 13.
Who's Mentioned
personDonnie Dee“President and CEO of San Diego Rescue Mission”locationSolana Beach“City where the meeting was held”organizationRegional Task Force on Homelessness“Conducts the annual Point-in-Time Count”personCedric McLean“Director of Marketing for San Diego Rescue Mission”locationLomas Santa Fe Country Club“Venue for the symposium”organizationSan Diego Rescue Mission“Host of the annual Mayors Symposium”locationChula Vista“Location of an individual counted in the survey”