SAN DIEGO (KGTV)--The San Diego City Council approved Monday a $11 million plan to purchase a Nestor motel to provide transitional housing t for homeless individuals and low-level drug offenders.
The council voted 8-1 to adopt a resolution to buy the Super 8 Motel located at 1788 Palm Avenue and possibly turn it into housing for participants of the SMART (San Diego Misdemeanants At-Risk Track) pilot program.
People who are found guilty of misdemeanor offenses can sometimes get caught in a revolving door of re-arrests because of "a lack of access to services, coordination of care or meaningful incentives to engage with social service providers," according to the city's website.
San Diego police chief speaks in favor of buying an IB motel to house low level drug offenders @10News 4 pic.twitter.com/LzLW0RO7OR
— Rachel Bianco (@10NewsRBianco) July 17, 2017
The diversion program was created by the City Attorney's office, the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Department to stop chronic re-offenses.
City Attorney Mara Elliott said the state has invested $3 million in the program to help break the cycle of addiction.
But some nearby neighbors were opposed to the development of transitional housing.
"I'm not against the homeless but I'm against them bringing criminals and I think they are really going to affect the area," said local business owner Blanca Nieto.
Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital producer. Follow her @SandyCoro
