An Introduction to Hafsa Kaka

San Diego mayor Todd Gloria has recently hired a new Director of Homeless Strategies and Solutions, Hafsa Kaka. In my post last week, I mentioned the programs she is leading to improve resources for those battling addiction among the unhoused. In this post, I will be introducing you to her and her background!

Hafsa Kaka has a BAs in both psychology and criminology from the University of California, Irvine, and a Masters in social work from the University of Minnesota. She has over 15 years of experience working on homelessness, mental health, and social services in general for various cities such as Minnesota, Los Angeles, and most recently, Riverside. Experiences with homelessness solutions in many cities throughout neighbouring counties offered her a better understanding of homelessness in Southern California, and equipped her with the knowledge on how to better combat homelessness in a city such as San Diego, which also presents itself as a bigger challenge due to the large unhoused population. 

As a female immigrant of color, Kaka hopes that she can address the issue of homelessness through a lens of equity, and create a multitude of specialized services that tackle the homelessness crisis with a sense of empathy and compassion. 

Kaka’s upcoming project will involve “Safe Haven” shelters, which aims to help people on their paths to sobriety. With Kaka’s arrival, San Diego seems to be headed down a more active road combating homelessness as a city.