San Diego Mayor Proposes Cuts to Homeless Resource Center Funding

Proposed budget reductions could significantly impact services at the Neil Good Day Center.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 6:09am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone homeless person sitting on a bench outside a nondescript building, the scene bathed in warm, dramatic lighting and shadows that evoke a sense of melancholy and isolation.The Neil Good Day Center, a vital resource for San Diego's homeless community, faces an uncertain future as the city considers cutting its funding.San Diego Today

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed 2027 fiscal budget includes cuts to funding for the Neil Good Day Center, a resource hub that provides critical services to nearly 7,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city. The center, run by Father Joe's Villages, offers showers, laundry, case management, and other assistance, but may be forced to reduce hours and services if the proposed cuts go through.

Why it matters

The Neil Good Day Center plays a vital role in San Diego's efforts to address homelessness, providing essential services and connecting people to housing and employment resources. Reducing funding could significantly impact the center's ability to serve the city's homeless population, potentially leading to more people living on the streets.

The details

Mayor Gloria's budget proposal calls for reducing the city's annual $850,000 allocation to the Neil Good Day Center. Deacon Jim Vargas of Father Joe's Villages, which operates the center, said this would force them to cut hours, close the showers two days a week, and scale back case management services. The center currently serves nearly 7,000 people and has helped prevent 1,000 individuals from falling into homelessness through rent and utility assistance.

  • Mayor Gloria released the proposed 2027 fiscal budget last week.
  • The Neil Good Day Center has been operating in San Diego for several years, providing services to the homeless population.

The players

Mayor Todd Gloria

The mayor of San Diego who has proposed cutting funding to the Neil Good Day Center in his 2027 fiscal budget.

Deacon Jim Vargas

The head of Father Joe's Villages, the organization that runs the Neil Good Day Center.

Neil Good Day Center

A resource hub in San Diego that provides showers, laundry, case management, and other services to nearly 7,000 people experiencing homelessness.

Father Joe's Villages

A nonprofit organization that operates the Neil Good Day Center and provides a range of services to the homeless population in San Diego.

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What they’re saying

“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well.”

— Deacon Jim Vargas, Head of Father Joe's Villages

“The impact to those whom we've been serving the Daily Center would be very severe.”

— Deacon Jim Vargas, Head of Father Joe's Villages

“We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”

— Mayor Todd Gloria

What’s next

The proposed budget cuts to the Neil Good Day Center are still in the early stages, and it remains unclear how the city will ultimately decide to move forward. Deacon Vargas said he hopes to continue offering services at the center, even if the funding is reduced.

The takeaway

The potential cuts to the Neil Good Day Center highlight the ongoing challenges San Diego faces in addressing homelessness. While the mayor aims to find more cost-effective solutions, reducing funding for critical services like those provided at the center could have severe consequences for the city's homeless population and their path to stability and self-sufficiency.