Earlier this week, Father Joe’s Villages opened what could be a trend-setting, 44-bed detox facility for homeless San Diegans seeking to recover from substance use.
Before this new facility, there were only about 100 detox beds in San Diego County, including just two beds within the city of San Diego. That meant people experiencing homelessness who were also struggling to recover from substance use severely lacked resources to help.
The facility signifies a new chapter in support resources. A year-long renovation converted part of the downtown San Diego Paul Mirabile Center into a detox facility and a sober and recovery shelter. Patients will receive the care they need as they recover from substance use, and will have access to services including an on-site clinic, a kitchen and a laundry room.
Roughly 37% of people experiencing homelessness across California reported using illicit substances on a regular basis, according to a study published in early 2025. And, in 2025, 291 people experiencing homelessness lost their lives to substance overdose, a third of all fatalities from overdose in San Diego.
“Our neighbors need compassion and understanding,” President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages Deacon Jim Vargas says. “Our hope for this center is that it can be more than a place for people to recover from substance use, but a refuge. When people have the care they need at exactly the right time, they find hope and the drive they need to leave the streets behind for good and look towards a brighter future.” SDSun
