Hundreds of people living along the San Diego River will have the opportunity to transition out of homelessness thanks to outreach teams and a $17 million grant.

Near Friars Road, where Arthur Bowen has lived for three years, the camp is only accessible during low tide, as reported by a media outlet. "I mean, who could complain about living on an island in a bungalow, you know?" Bowen remarked. He has been homeless since his wife passed away in Seattle a decade ago. "I couldn’t stay up there… it was depressing," he said.

While Bowen acknowledges that living by the water has its perks, he also mentions that trash and debris have become a growing problem. "It’d be nice if they put a dumpster out here," he added.

The San Diego River Park Foundation estimates there are 40,000 pounds of trash and debris on the island where Bowen lives. It’s an environmental issue the foundation is working to solve compassionately, alongside homeless outreach teams. Now, there is new state funding to support these efforts.

"We’re very excited to see this investment in addressing the root cause," said Sarah Hutmacher, Chief Operating Officer of the foundation.

Hutmacher explained that last year, $17 million in funding was secured to help approximately 300 people living along the San Diego River transition out of homelessness, and those efforts are now underway. More than $3 million of that funding will go to the City of San Diego.

"What’s interesting about this grant, which is quite unique, is that the funding is flexible," said Matt Hoffman, a spokesperson for the City of San Diego.

Hoffman stated that the money will be used not just for outreach but also for housing and even medical care for unhoused individuals for up to two years.

"The idea behind this is that we don’t want someone to return to homelessness," he said.

Hoffman mentioned that they hope to continue intensive outreach efforts for several months, with the goal of clearing the camp by the fall.