Some observers point to the disappearance of SROs as a leading cause of prolonged homelessness in downtown San Diego. Father Joe’s Villages is taking a small step toward reversing the trend.
In mid-September, the homelessness services provider added 33 SROs (Single-Room Occupancy) living spaces to its one-and-a-half city block, multi-use campus in East Village.
The SROs are each roughly 500 square feet and come furnished with a bed, fridge, microwave and some other furniture. Truly affordable housing, the $850 monthly rent is roughly half the going rate in the area.
In 1980 there were more than 14,00 SROs in San Diego. Redevelopment caused that number to dip into the hundreds in 2002. Recent data from UCSD put the number at 35.
Could the return of SROs be a trend in downtown San Diego?
“It’s not a trend, but it’s a possibility depending upon the circumstances,” Father Joe’s Villages President & CEO Deacon Jim Vargas said during a recent tour of the rooms. “If there’s enough focus on this and financial incentive, maybe more of this can be deployed.”
While city, state and federal funding for homelessness programs wavers, Father Joe’s never seems to slow down, or stop attracting philanthropic dollars.
In 2022, Father Joe’s built 407 rooms of affordable housing with the St. Teresa of Calcutta Villa. Late last year, Father Joe’s opened a 44-bed detox facility for homeless San Diegans seeking to recover from substance use.
After its most recent round of budget cuts, the city of San Diego shut down the Neil Good Day Center, a basic services outpost in East Village. Father Joe’s is absorbing it into its campus.
Vargas said Father Joe’s is preparing to break ground on two new residences later this year – a 124-room building at 16th & Island; and 99 rooms at 17th & Commercial.
If that wasn’t enough laudatory accomplishment, Vargas had more. Today (September 28), Father Joe’s Villages and philanthropist Irwin Jacobs Foundation announced a $50 million donation over five-year project that will further address the region’s affordable housing issue, especially a growing population of seniors experiencing homelessness. SDSun
This story was edited to reflect the donation by Irwin Jacobs.
