La Mesa

SHAMROCK: La Mesa’s youth homelessness collaboration. A once decrepit hotel in the city of La Mesa was generating more than 2 complaint calls per day to law enforcement about illegal and questionable activities including drugs and prostitution. New ownership renovated and then leased all 60 rooms to three different youth homeless service providers so that as many as 85 youth suffering from homelessness could have a safe place to stay. The service providers closely collaborate to manage the property and aid the youth, and the City of La Mesa has seen a significant reduction in complaint calls as well as youth homelessness. Additionally, the City of La Mesa is committed to supporting this model and looking to replicate it. Thus far the effort has helped 105 youth and led to permanent housing for 35 youth, with an additional 40 currently employed or in school. We applaud the hotel owner, City of La Mesa, Urban Street Angels, San Diego Youth Services, and Home Start for this collaboration which can be replicated elsewhere in the county.