Mayor Todd Gloria continues to tout a 70 percent increase in homeless shelter capacity as a major achievement in his re-election campaign. However, a fact-check revealed that the number is not entirely accurate. The claim is based on comparing the number of beds available during the pandemic in April 2021 to the current capacity, which has actually only increased by about 32 percent since before Gloria took office. Despite this, Gloria has been using the 70 percent figure in campaign ads and statements.
In response to questions about the discrepancy, Gloria defended his administration’s interpretation of the numbers, emphasizing the progress made in increasing shelter capacity. However, the city has only added 51 net new beds in the last 16 months, and plans to reach 1,000 new beds by early 2025 seem unlikely to be met.
The mayor has proposed purchasing a warehouse to convert into a shelter, but this plan is currently on hold. Additionally, the city is facing the closure of two large shelters, resulting in the potential loss of 614 beds by the end of the year. Despite these challenges, Gloria’s administration is exploring alternative options such as safe parking lots and safe camping sites to provide shelter for the homeless population.
While Gloria maintains that his administration has worked diligently to address homeless concerns, critics believe that the 70 percent increase claim is misleading. As the re-election campaign continues, the issue of homelessness and shelter capacity remains a central focus for both supporters and detractors of Mayor Gloria.
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Photo credit voiceofsandiego.org