RTFH Hires Veteran Journalist Gary Warth

Gary is Serving as Director of Government Relations, Policy and Communications 

SAN DIEGO (May 22, 2025)—–Veteran journalist Gary Warth has joined the Regional Task Force on Homelessness as the Director of Government Relations, Policy and Communications.

Gary comes to RTFH after a decades-long career in journalism spent entirely in San Diego County, where he covered a variety of beats that included politics, education, features, local government and homelessness. Gary covered homelessness  for many years for several publications, including The San Diego Union-Tribune.

“Writing stories about people experiencing homelessness has always been a passion of mine,” Gary said. “It was a subject I even wrote about as a journalism student at San Diego State University. Over the years I’ve also written many stories about the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, and I’m excited for the opportunities to continue telling those stories in my new role.”

Prior to working for the Union-Tribune, Gary wrote for The North County Times and Blade-Citizen, newspapers where he also covered homelessness and participated in the annual Point-in-Time Count RTFH conducts every January.

“I’ve done more Point-in-Time counts than I can remember,” Gary said. “I’ve also seen it evolve from the days of doing a simple head-count to the more advanced method today, which captures the demographics of people experiencing homelessness, along with related information, to better understand who is living on our streets, why, and what their needs are.”

Gary has been recognized with a variety of journalism awards over the years, including a Best of Show award from the San Diego Press Club for a series on methamphetamine addiction.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Gary on the team,” RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler said. “Too often the narratives surrounding homelessness are incorrect or incomplete. Bringing on Gary, a gifted, award-winning and trusted writer, will bring these stories to life. Gary also has a deep understanding of government relations and public policy, all areas where he will be able to strengthen and support RTFH and our partners.”

About the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH): The Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ mission is to reduce and end homelessness in San Diego, ensuring that if this situation does happen for anyone, it remains a rare, brief and non-recurring instance; not an outcome. As the Continuum of Care lead agency in San Diego County, RTFH administers many of the core federal requirements from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. RTFH also serves as a strategic planning body, funder, regional convener, promoter of best practices, trainer, policy leader, and advisor in San Diego’s collective efforts to end homelessness. Learn more: www.rtfhsd.org