San Diego Riverbed Homeless Population Declines 23 Percent Amid Clean River Efforts
The San Diego River Park Foundation announced a significant drop in the number of people experiencing homelessness along the San Diego Riverbed this month, reporting 195 individuals, which is 23 percent fewer than the same time last year.
This development comes as part of the Foundation’s ongoing Clean River Program, a daily initiative connecting those living unhoused with service providers while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns related to trash and waste in the river corridor between Ocean Beach and Santee.
Rachel Downing, Clean River Program Manager, explained the dual mission this way:
“If we want a healthy river, we have to make sure that nobody’s living down here and disposing of their waste down here. However, we understand that everybody experiencing homelessness is living in a different situation, and they deserve our respect because they’re part of our community.”
Partner Organizations Drive Housing Solutions
Key to this progress has been collaboration with service providers such as PATH, which is on the ground in the riverbed every day working to help people find stable housing. Jayna Lee, PATH’s Associate Director of Programs, said their efforts have made a concrete impact.
“Over the past year, PATH has helped permanently house 71 people from the riverbed,” Lee reported. “More have moved to temporary housing. We’re actively moving people out and getting them into the right places.”
Lee cautioned, however, that census counts only capture a snapshot at one time, with individuals moving in and out of the riverbed throughout the year, highlighting the ongoing nature of the issue.
Why This Matters Now
The decrease in homelessness in the riverbed holds immediate significance for San Diego’s environment and community health. The riverbed serves as a vital urban waterway prone to pollution when people lack access to shelter and sanitation.
The Clean River Program’s data collection also supports advocacy efforts by feeding crucial information to policymakers and service organizations who allocate resources to address homelessness and environmental cleanup.
Next Steps and Outlook
The San Diego River Park Foundation and partners like PATH intend to sustain and expand cleanup and outreach throughout the year. Public officials and community members are urged to support these efforts to bridge homelessness solutions with environmental preservation.
With homelessness decreasing in this area—but persisting overall—ongoing investment in housing and supportive services remains urgent for San Diego’s future.
For now, the 23 percent decline in riverbed homelessness marks a hopeful milestone in a long-running, complex challenge.
