San Diego County is gearing up to secure its portion of the $6.38 billion in bonds allocated through Proposition 1, which voters narrowly approved in March. However, one crucial project aimed at addressing the region’s mental health care needs faces a hurdle in meeting application requirements.
Luke Bergmann, Director of Behavioral Health for San Diego County, presented three key projects to county supervisors at their recent meeting. Two projects are poised to meet submission criteria: a $26.8 million substance use and residential treatment facility in South County, offering 72 to 96 beds, and a $6 million to $10 million crisis residential care facility in north central San Diego County, providing 16 beds.
However, a third project involving the development of a county-owned parcel on Third Avenue in Hillcrest, intended for board-and-care services, does not currently align with Prop. 1’s application rules. Despite this, Bergmann stressed the urgent need for board-and-care beds, which are crucial in transitioning individuals out of mental health hospital beds into supportive living environments.
The envisioned Third Avenue project aims to create 148 board-and-care beds for adults with serious mental illnesses, with an estimated cost between $55 million and $65 million. Efforts are underway to advocate for board-and-care projects to be considered eligible under Prop. 1 funding guidelines.
“We’re poised to submit if these efforts are successful,” Bergmann stated, noting that the deadline for the first round of applications is approaching this fall, with a second round expected in 2025.
Proposition 1 dedicates approximately $2 billion in bond funds statewide for permanent supportive housing, though specific application details are yet to be finalized. Bergmann also mentioned that several surplus county-owned properties have been identified as potential sites for Prop. 1-funded projects, including those tailored to serve veterans.
San Diego County’s initiatives aim to address critical gaps in mental health care infrastructure, leveraging state funding to bolster services and support across the region.
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