Council extends NAMI San Diego contract to continue riverbed and I‑15 corridor encampment services

The council approved a first amendment to the City’s agreement with NAMI San Diego to extend and modify the supportive‑services and temporary housing financial‑assistance program for encampment response projects funded by the State’s Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF).

Katie Keach, deputy director of the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, told council the amendment extends the contract term to June 14, 2027, to coincide with AB 130’s updated ERF expenditure deadlines and adds options to extend for two additional one‑year periods if the grant deadlines move. Keach said the agreement supports both the San Diego Riverbed and the I‑15 Corridor projects and provides intake assessment, housing placement, case management, mediation and temporary financial assistance.

Staff said the riverbed project has served 129 individuals with 70 people transitioned to housing and 39 currently enrolled in interim shelter; the I‑15 corridor project had served 99 individuals with 43 connected to housing and 30 in interim shelter. Councilmembers praised the interagency coordination; the motion to amend the agreement passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The amendment authorizes work funded by state ERF grants and allows outreach and rapid rehousing efforts to continue under a longer timeline; staff said hardship assistance will be made available to eligible families when the new family contribution amounts take effect for Housing Commission programs.

Next steps: Staff will implement the extended term, continue outreach and rapid‑rehousing functions and coordinate with community partners to host resource fairs and other supports for affected households.