NewsNBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsAugust 12, 2026San Diego
San Diego expands Rachel’s Promise Center by 160 beds for unhoused women and children
The city of San Diego has expanded the Rachel’s Promise Center for Women and Children by 160 beds, bringing the total capacity to 210. Unhoused women are scheduled to begin moving into the new space next week, with women and children following within the next month.
Read the full story at NBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsWhy It Matters
This expansion increases the available emergency shelter capacity for unhoused women and families in San Diego, supported by a $5.6 million annual city budget.
Key Facts
- The Rachel’s Promise Center capacity has increased from 50 to 210 total beds.
- The new capacity includes 110 beds for single women and 100 beds for women with children.
- The program is funded by the city of San Diego with an annual budget of $5.6 million.
- Single women begin moving in next week; women with children begin moving in within the next month.
- The shelter is operated by Catholic Charities under a contract with the San Diego Housing Commission.
- Referrals to the shelter are managed by the Coordinated Shelter Intake Program.
- The percentage of women and girls in city-funded shelter programs rose from 29.9% in FY 2021 to 40.5% in FY 2026.
- Last fiscal year, the intake program received 2,864 family referrals, with 58 accommodated (a 2% completion rate).
- Family shelter referrals have increased 111% since FY 2025.
- The project involved private donations of furniture and office equipment from property owners Dene Oliver and Jim McMillan.
Who's Mentioned
personStephen Whitburn“San Diego City Councilman”personAppaswamy “Vino” Pajanor“CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego”organizationCatholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego“Operates the shelter”personLisa Jones“President and CEO of San Diego Housing Commission”personDene Oliver“Property owner and project contributor”personAppaswamy "Vino" Pajanor“CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego”organizationSan Diego Housing Commission“Administers shelter contracts and intake programs”personTodd Gloria“Mayor of San Diego”personJim McMillan“Property owner and project contributor”locationSan Diego“City jurisdiction”