MEDIA ADVISORY: City of Lemon Grove, RTFH, State of California to announce new $8.4 million state grant to help combat homelessness along 94 corridor in Lemon Grove.
WHO: City of Lemon Grove, the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH), and State of California
WHAT: News Conference
WHERE: North Avenue along the 94 corridor (California State Route 94), directly behind Food 4 Less. Link to Google map location.
PLEASE PARK IN THE BACK OF THE FOOD 4 LESS PARKING LOT.
WHEN: March 3, 2025 at 10:30AM
WHY: Announce $8.4 million state grant for rapid rehousing of more than 100 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Lemon Grove.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
- Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow
- RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler
BACKGROUND: The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently awarded RTFH Encampment Resolution Funding following a competitive grant application process.
In June of 2024, RTFH, lead agency for the San Diego Continuum of Care (CoC), in collaboration with the City of Lemon Grove and with support from Caltrans, submitted an application to address unsheltered homelessness along California State Route 94 in Lemon Grove. In January of 2025, the State of California awarded RTFH $8.4M to address this need in Lemon Grove.
Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow said: “This is an exciting and unprecedented collaboration between the City of Lemon Grove, RTFH, and the State of California. I am optimistic and hopeful as we finally bring the much needed and welcomed resources to our unhoused community members”.
According to 2024 Point In Time Count data, 45 percent percent of the individuals in this area are chronically homeless, with many having high service needs and little to no access to healthcare, transportation, housing, and other critical services. The funds aim to provide 102 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness with 85 percent of the funding going toward rental subsidies, intensive case management, landlord engagement, and housing retention services to support housing stabilization. The remaining funds will build out capacity for outreach, project management, and supportive services.
“This funding presents a unique opportunity to leverage our partnerships with local jurisdictions, allowing us to apply for critical resources that will directly benefit our communities,” said RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler. “As the lead agency for the Continuum of Care, RTFH is in a distinct position to not only secure ERF funding but to partner with local jurisdictions to expand our existing housing-focused initiatives, including Resolution Strategies, Shared Housing, and the San Diego Flexible Housing Pool.”
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gregory Jackson, gjackson@lemongrove.ca.gov; Tony Manolatos, tony@manolatospa.com
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. For more information, please visit: www.rtfhsd.org
