DISTRICT THREE

Terra Lawson-Remer

Behavioral Health

In July 2023, our Board of Supervisors approved using $44.3 million in state bridge housing funds to provide more housing for county residents who have serious behavioral health conditions and who were experiencing homelessness. The funding is specifically going to help create more beds within licensed board-and-care facilities—which can be home-like settings or larger facilities for people who need some specialized care, but not in a hospital or clinical setting.

This year, the County reached a milestone in a drug disposal program designed to help people—children in particular—from accidentally overdosing on opioids that are prescribed to people who undergo surgical or dental procedures. The program gives pharmacies, doctors and dentists special “drug-deactivating” pouches to give to patients. People can put their left-over or expired opioids in the pouch, add warm water and the drugs are rendered harmless. The County gave out more than 1,200 pouches in just May and June.

Environmental Sustainability

This year the County updated the Climate Action Plan for our unincorporated areas. That plan outlines how the County, residents and businesses can reduce greenhouse gases and wildfire risks and protect our natural environment in the coming years.

Equity

Ten years after opening its beautiful Waterfront Park at the County Administration Office in downtown San Diego, the County unveiled a new active play area at the park. County residents and visitors can now enjoy a new basketball court, two pickleball courts, fitness apparatus, table tennis and an off-leash dog park, every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The new amenities were built with equity as a priority. Free equipment is available to encourage everyone to pursue an active lifestyle, including those who may not be able to afford a gym membership or local sports program. 

The County unveiled a new mural at the County’s Waterfront Park in July 2023. More than just a beautiful work of art, the mural is a representation of the County’s commitment to neurodiversity and inclusivity in the workforce. Neurodiversity recognizes the variation in neurocognitive functioning within the human population and emphasizes the opportunities that come from embracing differences.

Healthy and Safe Communities

In 2023, County of San Diego employees promoted healthier, safer communities by holding their annual blood drive, one that has grown to become one of the largest donor events of its kind in the region. Overall, County workers donated 435 pints of blood, enough to save more than a thousand lives.

And thousands of people tied up their laces downtown to take part in the ninth annual Live Well San Diego 5K and 1-mile Fun Run, an event that every year encourages county residents of all ages and abilities to get outside and move.

Homelessness and Affordable Housing

In October 2023, the County and partners held a pop-up fair for unsheltered neighbors in downtown’s Harbor View neighborhood with the goal of connecting people with services and helping them secure permanent housing. EBT cards were issued to qualified people to buy food and necessities. People also could check their eligibility for CalFresh, CalWORKs and Medi-Cal and receive case management services.

In July 2023, a County-led partnership with the City of San Diego and Caltrans that received nearly $17 million in state funds held its first outreach event to help people experiencing homelessness along the San Diego River.

A Live Well On Wheels mobile office created a central point for services while outreach teams fanned out to try to help people secure more permanent housing and connect with services.

The County also created a program to help first-time home buyers whose incomes were 80% or less than the county’s median income come up with money for down payments and closing costs. It offers them low-interest loans and deferred payments up to 22% of the home’s sale price—for down payments—and up to $10,000 for closing costs.

Public Safety and Justice Reform

The County’s new gun violence reduction work plan went into effect, working to reduce gun violence in the region—including suicide, domestic or intimate partner violence and community violence.

District Three

Areas Served

Carlsbad
Carmel Valley
Coronado
Del Mar
Encinitas
Harmony Grove
La Jolla
Little Italy
Midway
Mira Mesa
Mission Beach
Ocean Beach
Pacific Beach
Pacific Highlands
Point Loma
Rancho Penasquitos
Rancho Santa Fe
Solana Beach
Sorrento Valley
Torrey Highlands
University City