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What is a safe sleeping site?

The City of San Diego established the Safe Sleeping Program, which offers safe, legal camping space as an alternative to traditional congregate shelters for people experiencing homelessness.



A safe sleeping site (also known as a sanctioned encampment or a "safe stay community") is a managed outdoor location where individuals experiencing homelessness can sleep in tents or small, temporary "tiny homes" in a secure and sanitary environment. Unlike unmanaged "tent cities," these sites are regulated by a local government or a non-profit operator. They typically offer essential services that are absent in scattered encampments, such as 24/7 security, clean restrooms and showers, trash collection, and on-site food services. The primary goal is to provide a "lower-barrier" entry point for individuals who may not be comfortable in traditional congregate shelters—perhaps due to pets, partners, or anxiety—while offering them a consistent location to meet with social workers and healthcare providers. These sites often have a "Code of Conduct" to ensure safety for both the residents and the surrounding neighborhood. By centralizing services in a sanctioned area, the city can mitigate environmental hazards and more effectively transition people into permanent housing. They are intended as an interim, "harm-reduction" solution rather than a permanent fix, providing a dignified and safe alternative to sleeping on the streets or in parks.

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It is one of the largest shelter spaces being operated in the City of San Diego. The O Lot Safe Sleeping site, located on City property at the edge of Balboa Park near the Naval Medical Center, has capacity for up to 400 tents, each allowing space for two people.

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