Daily Business Report: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Annual Census: Homelessness Down 7% Countywide
By Lisa Halverstadt| Voice of San Diego
For the first time since 2020, the region’s annual census shows a year-over-year decline in homelessness across San Diego County.
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which oversees the annual point-in-time count, tallied a 7 percent drop in both unsheltered and sheltered homelessness.
The Task Force also reported an overall 13.5 percent overall drop in homelessness in the city of San Diego and a 3.9 percent decrease in street homelessness. The group also cheered overall decreases in cities including Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Encinitas and Oceanside – and regionwide drops in homelessness among families, youth and veterans. Escondido and National City also saw drops in street homelessness.
Why San Diego is sinking, along with other major U.S. cities
By Kate Murphy, Christine Clarridge | Axios
San Diego is sinking by the millimeter, and new research shows it’s more widespread — and riskier — than once suspected.
Why it matters: Land subsidence is an invisible but growing threat to urban infrastructure — cracking roads, destabilizing buildings and bridges, and raising flood risks.
- In San Diego, it amplifies the impacts of sea-level rise, which can worsen coastal flooding and erosion, particularly during storms.
The big picture: A peer-reviewed study published this month in Nature, found that 25 of the 28 most populous U.S. cities are subsiding, affecting more than 33 million people — over 10% of the U.S. population — who live on sinking land.
Fair launches ‘Green Ribbon Initiative’ to enhance sustainability among food vendors
By Tristan Hallman | Del Mar Fairgrounds
The most enduring recognition at the San Diego County Fair is a blue ribbon — a prize for creative and talented folks who showcase their skills for Fairgoers.
But the Fair announced Monday that the newest and most sustainable prize will be a green ribbon — a recognition program for food concessionaires who are volunteering to take their sustainability practices to the next level while continuing to serve up tasty treats to hungry Fairgoers.
The Green Ribbon Initiative is a new program dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability across the Fairgrounds. This year, 95 Fair food stands will participate in the initiative and will be designated as “Green Ribbon Partners” on the Fair’s food map this year.
