A refined program aims to quickly make appropriate service connections for people experiencing homelessness – without the requirement to come to a physical location. The City of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission and the Downtown San Diego Partnership recently launched The Hub, a staffed resource to quickly evaluate specific individual needs and find available services or resources to help. Callers to 211 can leverage the Community Information Exchange (CIE) to get directly connected to a San Diego outreach specialist to perform a brief intake. That call guides next steps, which may include a referral to The Hub. The Hub navigators triage the request, call the client and refer them to the appropriate resource or partner agency. 

The entire process can be done virtually, with the goal of streamlining requests to allow for streamlined service delivery. This could include connections to immediate interventions like programs for people living in their vehicles, preparation for subsidized housing applications, employment readiness or even connections to social services, like food assistance. The Hub also has a particular focus on diversion resources. That means identifying safe and immediate alternative housing options to guide individuals and families away from the homelessness response system. 

“Every person experiencing homelessness has a unique need with a unique set of circumstances — being able to triage requests quickly and get people to appropriate services is what The Hub brings to our robust homelessness response system,” said Sarah Jarman, director of the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department. “This kind of collaboration is how we ensure we’re maximizing available resources and I’m grateful for the ongoing partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission and the Downtown San Diego Partnership.” 

For individuals seeking in-person services, The Hub has a case-conferencing office in the downtown San Diego Central Library available Monday through Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. (times subject to change). In these cases, appointments should be made ahead of time through this calendar, but staff are able to assist walk-ins, if needed. Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure staff will be available to help at The Hub for drop-ins. 

“Helping people find their way on their path from homelessness to housing is what The Hub is all about,” SDHC Senior Vice President of Homelessness Housing Innovations Casey Snell said. “Determining each person’s needs, connecting them to the appropriate resources and guiding them through the process are essential to address homelessness in our community.”  

“The Hub is about meeting people where they are — and helping them take the next step forward,” Josh Coyne, Vice President of Philanthropy for the Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP). “By working closely with 211, we’re making it easier for people to access the support they need, when they need it. We’re grateful for the collaboration and proud to better connect our clients to housing, care, and stability.”  

The Hub, formerly known as the City’s Homelessness Response Center, transitioned in July from its previous location along Imperial Avenue. Since launching The Hub, individuals have been connected to outreach workers and services in 24 hours or less, which DSDP hopes to remain as a standard for service delivery.  

The City of San Diego is funding operations at The Hub. The program is overseen by the San Diego Housing Commission and operated by the Downtown San Diego Partnership Foundation, which also currently operates the Family Reunification Program as well as part of the Coordinated Street Outreach and O Lot Safe Sleeping Program.  The agreement to operate The Hub is for one year, with options to renew for four additional years contingent on available funding, at a cost of approximately $500,000 annually.  

The City first launched the former Homelessness Response Center in 2018. In May 2025, the San Diego City Council voted to approve turning the former location into a 164-unit affordable housing development.  

Contact 

Are you looking to connect a person experiencing homelessness to resources at The Hub or do you have general questions related to available services? Service providers seeking information or seeking to connect a client may contact us at thehub@improvedtsd.org. 

Overview of Services available at The Hub 

The Hub provides a broad range of services to assist unhoused individuals and families navigating their path to permanent or other long-term housing. 

• System Navigation Services: One-time or short-term case management to coordinate activities related to moving someone from homelessness to permanent, temporary, or longer-term housing. This can include but is not limited to providing support with housing applications and searches, employment readiness, basic needs support and/or connections to other helpful community events and resources. 

• Family Reunification and Diversion Services: Identify safe and alternative housing options to guide individuals and families away from the homelessness response system.