San Diego County Troy Street Cabins

 Statement
San Diego County Troy Street Cabins 

 LEMON GROVE, CA – In July 2024, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a project to construct what is now being called the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins in the City of Lemon Grove. This project has been in discussion since 2021, with the County hosting 18 public workshops since then. 

Because the project will be located on State owned property leased to the County, the City of Lemon Grove has no land use authority to consider this approval or impose restrictions. Nevertheless, the City has been meeting with the County to ensure that this new facility does not have health or safety impacts to the residents and businesses within our city limits. More specifically, the City has raised four key areas with the County: 1.) Operational Issues, 2.) Safety/Security, 3.) Impacts on Lemon Grove, and 4.) Public Outreach and Involvement. 

The City and County have identified the following commitments or actions to date: 

Operational Issues: 

• The City was concerned about environmental contamination at the project site. The County prepared a Phase I and Phase II environmental assessment which indicated that there is Thalium present in some areas of the soil. This prompted the need to obtain additional testing and analysis by a toxicologist who determined the concentrations do not pose a health threat to future users of the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins.  
• The County originally proposed 70 sleeping cabins, but reduced that number to 60. By comparison, the Chula Vista facility has 65 sleeping cabins. These cabins will be used as interim housing for veterans, seniors, youth, and adults. 
• The County intends to coordinate with faith-based organizations to provide supplemental community support. 
• This facility will not be first-come first served. There will be an assessment conducted, along with background checks, to determine whether this facility is appropriate for any proposed client. Individuals who are sex offenders, arsonists, or felons will not be eligible. 
• The facility will have zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs, and neither will be allowed.
• No guests will be allowed at the site. 

Safety/Security: 

• The facility will have perimeter fencing and be secured 24 hours a day/7 days a week with a hired security guard and on-site management, including trained staff who can provide de-escalation techniques. 
• There will be sidewalks with curb cuts and landscaping to beautify the facility. The facility will have lighting throughout. 
• The County will have a contract with the site operator as well as a lease agreement with Caltrans which will be closely monitored. The contract and lease agreement terms will specify that either the County or the site operator will be responsible for handling complaints and other issues arising from the operation of the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins site.

Impacts on Lemon Grove: 

• Because this is not a City project, the City will not contribute financially to the construction or operation of the facility. 

Public Outreach and Involvement: 

• The County has committed to ongoing meetings and communication with the City. 
• The County has created and will maintain a website for the project site for continued public outreach and involvement. This website also includes a direct way to contact the County about questions and concerns. Troy Street Sleeping Cabins | Engage San Diego County 

Construction is projected to commence July 2025 with completion estimated to occur by Summer 2026. 

The City commits to ongoing communications with the County about this project to ensure that Lemon Grove residents and businesses are heard and provided information. 

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