11/05/2026
City of San Diego NOV 2026
Community Development Newsletter— download link below
Mama’s Kitchen Volunteer -
Medically Tailored Meals Program
Making a Difference
Veterans Day November 11
On Veterans Day, we recognize the experience of those who
have served in the U.S. military.
Veterans are part of our families, friendships and neighborhoods, and
their experiences have helped shape communities across San Diego in many different ways. This month, we take time to listen to their stories, acknowledge the personal
sacrifices and lasting impacts of military service and reflect on its effects on individuals,
families and communities.
Enjoy highlights about two nonprofit organizations that have supported veterans through funding previously received from the City of San Diego’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and continue to make a difference in the
lives of local veterans.
Workshops for Warriors (WFW) is a
nonprofit that provides training,
certifications and work placements for veterans, transitioning service members and others with a focus on advanced manufacturing careers.
In 2023, WFW received $260,000 in
CDBG funds to purchase equipment for 22 training workstations, including computers, monitors, and accessories.
The equipment continues to support
WFW’s training programs, which havehelped 66 veterans transition to civilian life and secure meaningful employment in San Diego.
For more information about Workshops for Warriors and its services, visit https://wfw.org.
Support the Enlisted Project is a
nonprofit focused on combating financial stress, food insecurity, homelessness and
mental health challenges facing active- duty enlisted service members and their
families. In 2025, the organization
received $100,000 in CDBG funding for the Emergency Financial Assistance program (EFA). The EFA provides financialcounseling and education to 386 military
members, veterans and families
experiencing or facing the risk of
experiencing homelessness in the City of
San Diego.
To learn more about Support the Enlisted Project and its services, please visit
https://www.teamstepusa.org.
Veterans Day Events
Fleet Week San Diego
Honoring service members with events throughout San Diego County, including a Navy-based concert, a meet-and-greet with active-duty members and a cooking contest.
Visit Fleetweeksandiego.org to learn more.
Veterans Day Parade
Thousands of San Diegans will line theparade route on Nov. 11, 2026, in
downtown San Diego on Harbor Drive (in front of the County Administration Building). The parade will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For additional information about this free, family-friendly event, visit
www.midway.org.
Veterans Appreciation Dance
Dance, mingle and view a live performance
by The Sophisticats. Free for veterans, with a $5 cover for non-service members.
Register by Nov. 4, 2026 to receive a
guaranteed lunch at the Balboa Park ClubBallroom on Nov. 12, 2026, from noon to 3:30 p.m. RSVP for the Veterans Appreciation Dance or visit
balboapark.org for more information.
SeaWorld Waves of Honor
SeaWorld is offering active military
personnel complimentary admission and aveteran's discount for former military
members. Visit their website for
additional information.
Fair Housing Update
Opening Doors for Veterans, Military Families and Residents Using Rental Assistance
San Diego's military community is an important part of our city. Veterans and military families
searching for housing should know that California's fair housing protections include military
and veteran status.
Housing providers should not refuse housing, impose different rental conditions or otherwise
treat an applicant less favorably because of military or veteran status.
Veterans and other residents may also use rental assistance to help pay housing costs.
California's source-of-income protections include government rental assistance such as
Housing Choice Vouchers. This means a housing provider generally should not reject an
applicant simply because the applicant uses a protected rental subsidy.
Veterans with disabilities may also have rights to reasonable accommodations. Depending on
an individual's circumstances, accommodations might involve an assistance animal, accessible
parking or an exception to a housing rule related to a disability.
One Person May Have Several Protections
Fair housing issues do not always involve just one protected
characteristic. A veteran, for example, may also be a person
with a disability and use rental assistance. Fair housing laws
recognize that discrimination can involve intersecting
protected characteristics.
Equal housing opportunity means evaluating applicants fairly
and individually based on legitimate housing qualifications
rather than stereotypes or assumptions. If you believe you
have experienced housing discrimination in the City of San
Diego, contact the Fair Housing Hotline at 844-449-3500.
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) recognizes both military/veteran status and
source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers, as protected characteristics and also
recognizes discrimination involving intersecting characteristics. For additional information,
please visit calcivilrights.ca.gov/housing/.
Equal access to housing is a right protected by both federal and state law. The City of San Diego strives to increase housing
opportunities for its residents and offers free services to promote fair housing and emphasize solutions through education and
enforcement.
Fair Housing Resources
WHAT IS FAIR HOUSING?
Fair Housing is the ability of persons of similar income levels who are seeking housing in similar housing markets and who have like qualifications to have the same availability of housing choices regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, s*x, disability
(physical/mental) or familial status (presence of children) -- as provided under the federal
Fair Housing Act.
California laws have the same protections as federal law and further protect against
housing discrimination on the basis of s*xual orientation, source of income (including
rental assistance programs), marital status, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic
information, gender identity, gender expression, arbitrary status (including citizenship,
primary language, and immigration status) and military/veteran status. Race in California
includes hair texture and style.
FILE A DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT
If you believe you have been denied housing or the opportunity to apply for housing in the
City because of a characteristic protected by federal or state law, contact the City’s Fair
Housing Hotline at 844-449-3500 .
Contact the hotline within one year of the incident. Speak to a housing counselor and
provide facts about the incident. If merited, your incident may be referred to a legal
representative for further investigation. An attempt will be made to assist both parties in
resolving the issue. If the issue remains unresolved and there is evidence that a violation
has occurred, the complaint may be litigated in court.
FAIR HOUSING BASICS WEBINAR
Join the Legal Aid Society of San Diego for a webinar on your rights and responsibilities
under anti-discrimination laws. This training is free and open to anyone.
Register for Fair Housing Basics
Tue, Nov 10, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
Show in my time zone
Join Legal Aid for a free webinar on your rights and responsibilities under anti-discrimination laws. This training is open to anyone
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3435264010380993629
LOCAL RESOURCES
Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc.
California State Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
Multilingual Brochures
Visit sandiego.gov/FairHousing to view fair housing brochures in Arabic, Chinese, English, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
Equal access to housing is a right protected by both federal and state law. The City of San Diego strives to increase housing
opportunities for its residents and offers free services to promote fair housing and emphasize solutions through education and
enforcement.
El Niño Preparation
The City of San Diego is preparing for the potential
impacts of a significant El Niño event, which the
National Weather Service predicts may intensify during
the fall and winter of 2026–2027. In anticipation of
increased rainfall, potential flooding, coastal erosion and other weather-related hazards, the City is taking steps to strengthen emergency preparedness, assess
and maintain stormwater infrastructure, clear storm drains, identify areas vulnerable to
flooding, and coordinate response efforts across City departments and regional partners.
These proactive measures aim to reduce risks to public safety and enhance the City’s
resilience to potential severe weather impacts throughout the upcoming storm season.
Prepare now! Pick up free, FILLED sandbags on Nov. 7 or 14, and
attend a free, emergency preparedness workshop on Nov. 12 with Urban Collaborative Prjoect and the City of San DIego’s Community
Emergency Response Team. For additonal information about El Niño
prep, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/elnino.
Fair Housing Update and
Resources
El Niño Preparation
Thanksgiving Community
Resources
Thanksgiving Fire Safety
Tips
Community Resources
Civic Engagement
Opportunities
CDBG NOFA
Grant Opportunities
About the Community
Development Team
sandiego.gov/community [email protected]
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/2026-11/november-2026-newsletter.pdf
