Since its founding, Townspeople has remained steadfast in its commitment to following the research, which shows the solution to homelessness is Housing First. Formed by a group of compassionate San Diegans in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, our organization provides access to affordable housing and supportive services for medically vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV/AIDS, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as well as experiencing other health-related conditions.

 

We passionately believe having a place to call home is the foundation for health and wellness. Because of this belief, in 1994, Townspeople opened San Diego’s first permanent supportive housing program for people living with HIV/AIDS. In the 29 years since, we have continued the expansion of our affordable housing and supportive service portfolio to help ensure everyone in our community can live a healthy, safe, and dignified life. Our current focuses include:

·         Affordable Housing. Townspeople owns and operates four affordable housing developments in San Diego, with a total of 118 homes. 

·         Rental Assistance. With support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, annually, we administer rental assistance to hundreds of households.

·         Supportive Services. Our on and off-site supportive services include case management, crisis intervention, care coordination, and resource connections. In 2022, 95% of individuals served in our supportive housing program maintained their housing stability.

·         Emergency Housing. In collaboration with local hotels and motels, Townspeople operates a year-round non-congregate emergency housing program for more than 100 people living with HIV/AIDS who are also experiencing homelessness.

·         Housing Navigation. Townspeople’s navigation services assist San Diegans experiencing homelessness who are also living with HIV/AIDS in overcoming barriers to stable housing; identifying financial assistance and other resources; advocating on behalf of clients, which can include family reunification; and facilitating housing placements.

·         Shared Housing. Together with Adjoin and support from Funders Together to End Homelessness San Diego, Townspeople is designing and implementing a regional system for housemate and housing matching for people experiencing homelessness. The system will provide greater opportunities for access to housing options by connecting housemates to reduce housing costs, form social relationships, and improve environments by reimagining physical spaces.

 

Townspeople is no stranger to supporting our community in times of crisis. In the 1980s, when many people were turning their backs on the needs of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, Townspeople broke with the status quo and began providing them with housing. Even today, with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, our mission to offer lifesaving services for those in need remains critical. Everyone deserves a home, and we are so grateful to partners who are helping realize our vision of a fully housed San Diego.