San Diego County
San Diego County has seen a significant decline in the availability of residential care facilities, with a reduction of approximately 50% of facilities (primarily ARFs) that serve SSI/SSP recipients with serious mental illness (SMI) since 2014. Given this backdrop, individuals with serious mental illness, in particular, are at a high risk of homelessness, as they often lack alternative housing options.
Preserving every available bed is critical, especially with the high cost of living in the region. The Community Care Expansion (CCE) Preservation Program supports these essential facilities, ensuring that individuals in need continue receiving housing with care and supportive services in a home-like environment rather than being placed in hospitals, emergency shelters, or the streets.
Saving San Diego’s Adult Residential Facilities
(Click to watch the video from San Diego County on YouTube.)
The Impact of CCE Preservation Program Funding
in San Diego County
With the $16.6 million investment from the CCE Preservation Program, San Diego County will provide much-needed support to ten independently owned and operated Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) through March 2029, thereby preventing further closures and preserving 440 beds for individuals in need of care and supportive services.
The availability of beds and care are especially important for those with behavioral health issues and, specifically, serious mental illness, who are at greater risk of experiencing homelessness. To support this population, 333 beds across all 10 San Diego County facilities receiving CCE Preservation funds will serve individuals with SMI.
These facilities can offer 24/7 supervised care, ensuring residents receive essential support, including:
- Medication management
- Housekeeping and meal services
- Transportation
- Daily living assistance (bathing, dressing, hygiene, and personal care)
CCE Preservation funding supports the following key areas:
- Operating Costs: Helping facilities remain open by covering day-to-day expenses such as utilities, maintenance and repairs, as well as staffing, payroll, taxes and insurance.
- Critical Repairs & Maintenance: Addressing decades of deferred maintenance, ensuring facilities are safe and functional.
- Capital Upgrades: Funding renovations, such as:
- Replacing aging HVAC systems and water heaters
- Upgrading roofing, windows, and asphalt
- Enhancing patios and outdoor spaces to improve residents’ quality of life
Construction of capital projects officially began February 2025, marking a crucial step toward preserving and improving residential care facilities in San Diego County. Currently, six facilities are in the capital project phase and four facilities will start construction in mid-April 2025. All capital efforts are expected to be completed by June 2025.
San Diego County has paired funding from the program with Technical Assistance (TA) for facilities. TA sessions have included:
- Overview and intent of the grant
- Walk through of the NOFA application
- One on one meetings to discuss capital project priority efforts and ensure alignment with the grant requirements
- A Deed Restriction presentation to ensure applicants understood the process.
- Informational sessions on completing invoices and the required supporting documentation
Key Statistics
About the CCE Preservation Program
CDSS has allocated $247 million in CCE Preservation Program funding to 34 participating counties. Counties design and implement the programs locally and are responsible for identifying and disbursing funding to local licensed adult and senior care facilities that are at risk of closure and serving the CCE focus population of SSI/SSP and CAPI recipients and applicants, so they can continue serving their communities.
About the CCE Preservation Program
CDSS has allocated $247 million in CCE Preservation Program funding to 34 participating counties. Counties design and implement the programs locally and are responsible for identifying and disbursing funding to local licensed adult and senior care facilities that are at risk of closure and serving the CCE focus population of SSI/SSP and CAPI recipients and applicants, so they can continue serving their communities.