Two business leaders in San Diego announced a proposal on Thursday to shelter hundreds of homeless people in large industrial tents.
Padres managing partner Peter Seidler and his friend, Dan Shea, a business owner, said they can no longer watch from the sidelines as homelessness soars and political leaders drag their feet.
“It’s time to act,” Seidler said “There’s been plenty of analysis done. I think we can all acknowledge that there’s nothing that’s perfect, but I think the steps we’re advocating for are best in class and will start to make a big difference in our city and for the homeless population.”
The men are proposing to temporarily house approximately 250 people per tent while they wait for permanent housing — the agreed upon solution to helping homeless people get back on their feet. Also on site would be health services and case management, run by city and county agencies. The location of the structures would be up to political leaders.
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Seidler and Shea announced their plan, a year in the making, from the University of San Diego. They said private donors have contributed funding for the first two structures, which would cost approximately $800,000 each.
Helping homeless people is not about the Padres game-day experience, Shea said.
“It’s about compassion. Beginning the process of bringing these people in, taking them out of the elements, getting them assessments, doing the triage,” Shea said. “And figuring out, how do we end some of the suffering today while all of our other good friends are focused on 'Housing First.'”
“These are individuals, they’re people that need help from our city,” Seidler said.
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Moving the plan forward will be up to city and county political leaders. Seidler said many are on board with the proposal.
