Civic Engagement in San Diego: City Council & County Board Agendas and Why They Matter for Housing and Equity

wilderness59
Sep 28
3 min read

At Lived Experience Advisors (LEA), we know that change happens when community members know how to engage in San Diego City Council and County Board of Supervisors meetings. These civic events set the policies that impact tourism workers, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, disability justice, and equity across San Diego County. Every week our advocates show up in civic spaces, using their lived experience voices to create change that is relevant and sustainable.

This week — September 29 through October 3, 2025 — key San Diego City Council and San Diego County Board of Supervisors agendas include decisions that directly affect wages, housing access, and support for unhoused and vulnerable neighbors.

Here’s a guide to the civic events you can attend, and the messages that matter most to ensure justice and equity are at the center of San Diego’s policymaking.

📅 San Diego City Council Meeting – Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Location: City Council Chambers, 202 C Street San Diego, CA 92101, 12th Floor

Public Comment Write in: https://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/agenda-comment-form

Virtual participation: https://sandiego.gov/councilmtg

🕙 10:00 AM — Item 52: Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance. This ordinance raises wages for hospitality workers at hotels, event centers, and amusement parks within the City of San Diego, and amends the Living Wage Ordinance.

Why It Matters for Housing & Equity: Fair wages for hospitality and tourism workers are critical to preventing homelessness that many working people experience. But please note that when wages rise, we must also prepare for impacts like automation or reduced shifts. LEA urges the City Council to also review the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to ensure revenue is reinvested in affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

🕑 2:00 PM — Item 330: San Diego Affordable Housing Fund – Fiscal Year 2025 Report reviews how funds are spent on affordable housing programs.

Why It Matters for Housing & Justice: LEA supports diverting shelter funds into permanent affordable housing where tenants pay no more than 30% of their income. We also advocate for mental health and disability care services to be offered while people remain housed, not just after they lose housing.

📅 San Diego County Board of Supervisors Meeting – Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Location: Waterfront Administration Building –

Review items here: https://sdcounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Write in Comment: https://sdcounty.granicusideas.com/meetings/2203-board-of-supervisors

Virtual Participation: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/bos/board-meeting-video.html

9:00 AM

Item 1: Certified Age-Friendly Employer Designation

Why It Matters for Equity: LEA supports the County in becoming an age-friendly employer and urges the Board to also extend this to disability justice and justice-impacted individuals, broadening access to stable employment.

Item 2: Aging Roadmap 2024–25 Annual Report

Why It Matters for Disability Justice:While LEA supports the roadmap, we urge inclusion of a disability accommodation plan, ensuring seniors and people with disabilities are not left behind.

Item 14: Sustainable Fiscal Planning Subcommittee

Why It Matters for Housing Stability: LEA supports this subcommittee, which will help the County prepare for fiscal disruptions while safeguarding social services, including housing, healthcare, and homelessness prevention programs.

💬 Why Civic Engagement Matters for the Unhoused Community

These San Diego civic meetings are not just policy discussions. They determine whether workers earn enough to stay housed, whether affordable housing programs are prioritized over shelters, and whether disability and aging communities get the support they need.

By participating in the City Council agenda and County Board agenda items, community members can demand equity and justice for the unhoused population in San Diego.

✊ How You Can Participate in Civic Events

Attend in person at City Hall or the County Waterfront Building.
Join via Zoom (links available on the official San Diego City Council agenda page and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors agenda page).
Submit written comments ahead of time to ensure your voice is heard.

When you speak, emphasize that housing, fair wages, and disability justice are key to reducing homelessness and creating equity in San Diego.

🕊 LEA’s Commitment

At Lived Experience Advisors, we bring the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness into City Council and County Board of Supervisors meetings. By aligning civic engagement with equity and justice, we ensure San Diego creates solutions that work for everyone.

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