Townspeople

Since founding in 1984, Townspeople has embodied the notion that housing is health. Formed by a group of compassionate San Diegans in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, our organization follows the principles of Housing First and provides access to affordable housing and supportive services for our community’s most vulnerable members, including people living with HIV/AIDS and those experiencing homelessness. 

Our mission is to finance, build, manage, and operate affordable housing and supportive services for people with special needs, providing them equitable opportunities for stability and self-sufficiency. 

Funds donated to our San Diego Gives campaign help us provide frequently-requested items to our clients in need, items such as (but not limited to) laundry detergent sheets, toothbrushes and toothpaste, pill organizers, feminine hygiene products, and condoms.

We're also excited to participate in AIDS Walk/Run San Diego 2023. Please consider joining our walking team today: https://donate.thecentersd.org/team/518951

In alignment with our belief that housing is both a human right and the foundation for health and wellness, Townspeople annually offers:

1. Affordable Housing. Townspeople owns and operates four affordable housing developments in San Diego, with a total of 118 units, 101 of which are Permanent Supportive Housing. 
2. Rental Assistance. With support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the San Diego Housing Commission, we administer rental assistance to hundreds of households. 
3. Supportive Services. On and off-site supportive service offerings for our participants include crisis intervention, care coordination, resource referrals, youth engagement, and case management. In 2022, 95% of individuals served in our supportive housing program maintained their housing stability.
4. 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 each year.
5. 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 (e.g., household supplies, vouchers, utility assistance, housing deposits); advocating on behalf of clients, which can include family reunification; and facilitating placements through the Coordinated Entry System (CES).
6. 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.