>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US, WHERE REPORTING FROM K PBS NEWS, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, ANSWERING THE CALL.

SAN DIEGO'S NEW AMBULANCE COMPANY IS ON THE STREET AND ALREADY MAKES GRANTS ABOUT RESPONSE TIME.

>>> WOKE IS A POLITICAL BUZZWORD, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW CONTENTIOUS RACES IN OUR SOCIETY.

>>> FINDING A HOME SOUTH OF THE BORDER, HOW SAN DIEGO'S ARE GETTING MORE FOR THEIR MONEY AS RENT HERE CONTINUES TO RISE.

>>> FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE HAS DOMINATED HEADLINES.

HUMANITARIAN HELP IS FLOWING IN FROM AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS JACOB AERE SHOWS US SOME OF THE ASSISTANCE THEY ORGANIZE LOCALLY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HOUSE OF UKRAINE IS WORKING WITH OTHER LOCALS IN ADDITION LIKE HELP UKRAINE NOW, TO TRY TO HELP WITH THE ONGOING CHAOS WITH THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE.

VICTORIA IS THE UKRAINIAN IMMIGRANT WHO IS AN ACTIVE MOTHER WITH THE HELP OF THEIR UKRAINIANS AT VILLA PARK, SHE IS WORRIED FOR HER FAMILY, WHO LIVES IN UKRAINIAN CAPITAL CITY OF KYIV.

>> I HAVE FAITH THAT GOD IS ON OUR SIDE.

THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS ON OUR SIDE.

SO I CANNOT JUST SIT AND CRY, I AM TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE.

TO SUPPORT MY COUNTRY FROM THE SIDE.

EVEN IF I AM NOT THERE, I STILL FIGHT.

>> Reporter: EVEN OVER WHO IS THE COORDINATOR AT THE CLEANING CROW SAN DIEGO, SAYS THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS OF HELPING INCLUDING FINANCIAL DONATIONS.

SHE SAID THE BIGGEST NEED RIGHT NOW IS FOR MEDICAL AND MILITARY SUPPLIES.

WHICH CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THEIR UNIT WHICH OFFERS HOURS FROM 9:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M. DAILY.

MAC WE ARE ASKING FOR BLANKETS, THERMAL UNDERGARMENTS.

SOCKS, SO IT IS KIND OF COLD.

AT THIS TIME.

I TALKED TO MY PARENTS, IT IS SNOWING, AND WE NEED SOME THINGS TO KEEP PEOPLE WARM.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THEY ARE ALSO PREPARING FOR AN INFLUX OF UKRAINIAN SPEAKERS TO BE COMING TO THE REGION.

>> AT THIS POINT THERE ARE MANY REFUGEES THAT DON'T HAVE ANYBODY YET.

HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

WE WILL BE EXPECTING THEM, PEOPLE WHO WILL COME THIS WAY.

BUT AT THIS TIME WE DO NOT, WE ASK YOU NOT TO BRING FOOD ITEMS.

>> Reporter: SUPPLIES ARE SENT OUT EVERY FEW DAYS, AND GOODS EVENTUALLY ARRIVING BY PLANE IN SURROUNDING EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE MORE INFORMATION AND WAYS TO HELP GO TO HELP UKRAINE.ORG.

>>> MORE REFUGEES, TO ME AND PEOPLE ARE NOW REFUGEES IN IS IN YOUR RUSSIAN MILITARY RELENTLESSLY ATTACKS CIVILIAN TARGETS.

WE'VE RESPONSE AND COVERAGE FROM OUR PARTNERS AT NPR AND PBS NEWS HOUR AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> FOR MANY OF US THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE WORD IS THE CONTINUED RISE IN ENERGY PRICES, A GALA NOW COSTS WELL OVER FIVE DOLLARS, AND KITTY ALVARADO SPENT TIME WITH A RIDESHARE DRIVER WHO WORRIED SHE MIGHT BE SOON PRICED OUT OF A JOB.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE DREADED MOMENT OF THE DAY, TONYA HAS BEEN A RIDESHARE DRIVER FOR FIVE YEARS, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAS EVER HAD TO PAY ALMOST 6 DOLLARS FOR A GALLON OF GASOLINE.

>> THE GASES 578.

THAT IS INSANE, AN INSANE AMOUNT OF MONEY, TWICE AS MUCH AS IT WAS WHEN I STARTED DRIVING FIVE YEARS AGO.

AND I AM MAKING HALF THE MONEY.

I USED TO FILL UP MY TANK FOR ABOUT $32, AROUND THERE.

NOW IT IS OVER $60.

TO FILL UP THE TANK OF GAS.

OF COURSE EVERYTHING YOU ARE EARNING BLEEDS INTO THAT.

>> Reporter: GAS PRICES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY SET RECORDS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IS $.55 MORE THAN A WEEK AGO.

THEY SAY RIDESHARE DRIVERS ARE ON THE EDGE.

>> I HEAR A LOT OF ANGER OUT THERE.

THERE IS A LOT OF DRIVERS WHO WANT TO STRIKE.

THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION.

I EVEN TALKED TO A DRIVER LIVING IN HIS CAR.

>> Reporter: MOST PEOPLE HAVE A MISCONCEPTION THAT WHEN THEY PAY A HIGH RATE SHE IS POCKETING A BIG PART OF IT.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

>> I HEAR A PASSENGER SAY HE PAID $85 FOR HIS RIGHT, AND I SAID WHILE THAT IS A LOT AND HE SAID WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU GOT?

>> I GOT $18 OUT OF $85.

IT IS REALLY, REALLY TOUGH AND IT MAKES IT HARDER TO GO OUT LATE AT NIGHT PICKING UP PEOPLE WHO ARE DRUNK WHEN YOU DON'T GET PAID FOR THE MONEY.

>> Reporter: SHE GOT INTO THE BUSINESS OR THE FLEXIBILITY, THE SAME FLEXIBILITY THAT COMPANIES LIKE OTHER RIDESHARE COMPANIES OFFER.

BUT AS GAS PRICES GO UP, IT AFFECTS HER DRIVING.

>> WHEN EVERYTHING INCREASES IN PRICE, EVERYTHING AROUND YOU, YOUR RENT, YOUR FOOD, AND YOU CAN'T PAY ALL OF THAT, YOU CAN'T PAY FOR YOUR FOOD, WHERE IS THE FLEXIBILITY?

THERE IS NO FLEXIBILITY IN BEING POOR.

YOU HAVE TO GET EVERY LAST DROP WITH THIS KIND OF PRICING, YOU KNOW?

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, K PBS NEWS.

>>> A PUPPY START FOR SAN DIEGO'S NEW AMBULANCE PROVIDER.

CITY COUNCILMEMBERS SPENT PART OF THE WEEK ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERSTAFFING, THAT COULD LEAD TO FINANCIAL PENALTIES.

MATT HOFFMAN LOOKS INTO WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT THE COMPANY PLANS TO DO ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: SOUTH AMBULANCES HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS IN SAN DIEGO FULL-TIME FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, NOW.

THE COMPANY WON THE CITY'S FIVE- YEAR 911 CONTRACT AFTER BEATING OUT THE PREVIOUS PROVIDER, AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE.

SOUTH PROMISED MORE STAFFING AND NEW LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT, AND - JEFF BAIN RUNS THE OPERATION, THE COMPANY SPENT SIX MONTHS BUILDING UP BEFORE TAKING OVER JUST AFTER THE GIVING.

HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT STAFFING REQUIREMENTS HAVEN'T BEEN MET YET.

>> WE ARE SLIGHTLY BELOW THAT LEVEL, BUT IT DEPENDS DAY TODAY, THERE IS CHALLENGES.

THE MOST RECENT COVID-19 SURGE COMPLICATED OPERATIONS, WE JUST CAME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OMICRON VIRUS AND THAT IS GOOD, AND OUR STAFFING IS IMPROVING VERY WELL.

JANUARY WAS CHALLENGING.

25% OF OUR EMPLOYEES WERE OUT AT SOME TIME SICK WITH COVID.

>> Reporter: OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS, DATA SHOWS THAT FELT HASN'T MET THEIR MONTHLY STAFFING REQUIREMENT AND IN FEBRUARY THEY WERE 8 PERCENT SHORT >> WE ARE WORKING TO SET THE GOAL, WE ARE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION THAN WE WERE WHEN WE STARTED.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS WORRIED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR BURNOUT.

>> IF WE LOSE TO THE CONTRACT WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE REQUIREMENT AND FAULT, AS I MENTIONED, IS MAKING ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.

>> Reporter: JODI PIERCE IS A DEPUTY CHIEF OF AMERICAN MEDICAL SERVICES BY THE SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT.

SHE SAID THE CITY WANTS THE SYSTEM WITH FAULK PROVIDING AMBULANCE TRANSPORT.

BACK OUR APPARATUS HAS A FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC ON IT, THEN THE SECOND MEDIC IS COMING FROM FAULK AMBULANCE AND THEY ARE PROVIDING THE TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL.

FROM THE INCIDENT.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT SAYS TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE EVERYONE HAS GOTTEN THE CARE THEY NEEDED AND PEERS SAID FELT'S THREE-MONTH REPORT CARD DOESN'T THROW, SHOW, THE COMPLETE ISSUE.

FELT IS FOLLOWING THROUGH ON OTHER CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS LIKE BRINGING IN NEW AMBULANCES.

AT LEAST HALF OF THE FLEET IS BRAND-NEW AND THEY SAY ALL OF THE VEHICLES WILL BE IN BY APRIL.

>> MARK STELLA PAC IS A PARAMEDIC FOR FAULT, HE HAS WORKED FOR MEDICAL RESPONSE IN THE CITY FOR THE LAST 22 YEARS WHICH I SEE MANY DIFFERENT OPERATORS.

>> EMS THE, AMR, AND NOW FELT.

THEY SAY THE AMBULANCE COMES WITH NEW TECH THAT HELPS FIRST RESPONDERS AND PATIENTS LIKE POWER LOADING JOURNEYS, TO HELP SAVE THEIR BACK AND ALSO WITH THE GURNEYS IT IS SAFER FOR HEAVIER PATIENTS.

ONE OF THE BIG FACTORS IN THE GURNEYS IS IT PREVENTS INJURIES.

>> IT IS ALSO NOW JUST ONE PERSON, INSTEAD OF LIKE TWO OR THREE.

>> Reporter: A 911 PARAMEDIC WITH FAULK, SHE SAYS THE AMBULANCES NOW HAVE DEVICES THAT DELIVER AUTOMATIC CHEST COMPRESSIONS.

>> IT IS SUPER EASY TO USE, YEAH.

AND THEN IT WILL BASICALLY START COMPRESSING.

IT ALLOWS ONE MORE PERSON TO DO OTHER THINGS RATHER THAN COMPRESSIONS.

IT ACTUALLY FREES UP TWO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEY HAVE NEW EQUIPMENT STAFFING ISSUES ARE PERSISTENT.

RESPONSE TIMES ARE AT OR NEAR 90% ACROSS THE CITY.

>> WE ARE PROUD OF OUR FAULK EMPLOYEES, OUR EMTS THAT ARE RESPONDING OUT TO THE SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS, MAKING SURE THAT WE GET THERE IN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TIME AS WE CAN.

IT HAS JUST BEEN REALLY UNDER TREMENDOUS STRAIN IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BECAUSE OF COVID AND FOLKS BEING OUT ILL. WE ARE JUST WORKING REALLY HARD AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF THEM AND I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE WORKING REALLY HARD FOR THEM, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THEY COULD BE FINED BY THE CITY IF THEY DON'T MEET CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, THE SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE AMBULANCE COMPANY TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.

MATT HOFFMAN, K PBS NEWS.

>>> LET'S TALK ABOUT IT, IS A NEW SERIES K PBS IS LAUNCHING TO EXPLORE OUR EVOLVING CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE, GENDER, AND EQUITY.

WE ARE STARTING WITH THE WORD WOKE WHICH IS CONFUSINGLY BEING SAID AROUND AS A POLITICAL WORD.

>> WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHERE WE ARE MORE DIVIDED THAN EVER AND WE NEED A COMMON VOCABULARY TO TALK ABOUT THOSE DIFFERENCES.

BUT THAT CAN BE HARD WHEN WE ARE NOT ON THE SAME PAGE.

IT IS WHY K PBS IS LAUNCHING A NEW SERIES CALLED LET'S TALK ABOUT IT, WHERE WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE START TODAY WITH MIKE MILTON.

HE IS A RETIRED NAVY MAN WHO IDENTIFIES AS WHITE, AND A LEFTY, POLITICALLY SPEAKING THAT IS.

HE SAYS HE PAYS ATTENTION TO THE NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS.

LATELY THERE IS ONE WORD HE HAS BEEN HEARING A LOT OF, THAT GOT HIM SCRATCHING HIS HEAD.

THE WORD IS WOKE.

WOKE IS HIM DESTROYS EVERYTHING IN THE SOCIETY.

HE SAYS IT IS ON CONSERVATIVE MEDIA AND HE IS NOT SURE WHAT IT MEANS.

>> ONE QUESTION YOU HAVE, IS WHAT IS WOKISM?

>> THE TORQUE , THE WORD HAS HAD MANY ITERATIONS.

>> RIGHT AROUND EARLY 1967 IS ONE YOU HAD A LOT OF BLACK POVERTY AND CIVIL RIGHT ISSUES GOING ON.

AT THAT TIME IT WASN'T CALLED WOKE IT WAS CALLED CONSCIOUSNESS.

MAC THAT IS DOCTORED TAMARA SMITH, HE WORKS AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY.

HE SAYS - >> AT THAT TIME BACK THEN, BLACK PEOPLE BUT WHAT ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT NECESSARILY PROTECTING US AS CITIZENS?

>> Reporter: FOR HIM, THE REAL THING OF BEING WOKE IS A CONNECTING THE DOTS.

>> THE MEANING, BASICALLY, HAVING A CONSCIOUSNESS ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE, THAT HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT KIND OF SEEMED NOUVEAU.

IT MAY BE A GOOD THING BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY BEING THOUGHT ABOUT.

>> Reporter: IN OTHER WORDS IT MEANS TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT ISSUES THAT IMPACT US ALL.

LIKE EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND POLICING.

THE WORD WOKE BECAME MORE MAINSTREAM IN 2015, WITH MORE AND MORE PEOPLE USING IT BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW THE WORD'S ORIGIN.

>> EVERY WORD I WOULD HEAR IT, THAT TERMINOLOGY ABOUT I WOKE, I'M WOKE BUT I'M WHITE BUT I'M WOKE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> IT BEGAN TO CHANGE.

>> Reporter:'S SIGNALS TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT YOU WEREN'T RACIST.

>> WE HEARD THAT YOU ARE NOT WOKE, IT IS BAD.

>> Reporter: EVEN SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE GOT IN ON THE JOKE, WITH THE WOKE TEAM.

FAST TRACK TO TO TODAY WHERE WOKE IS BEING USED BY CONSERVATIVE MEDIA TO DESCRIBE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

>> IT IS TO DESTROY.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE IS NOT SURPRISED TO SEE WOKE TAKE ON ANOTHER MEANING, LIKE ALWAYS IT CAN BE WEAPON EYES.

IN THE CURRENT CONTEXT IT IS A CATCH ALL FOR ANYTHING BEING A PROGRESSIVE OR INCLUSIVE.

>> THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU HEAR WOKE IS AT LEAST FOUR SOME CITIZEN THEY SEE IT MORE AS FOLKS WHO HAVE THE SLIGHT KIND OF SOCIALISM WHERE IT IS THEIR PERSPECTIVE, THAT ANYTHING THAT THEY DON'T DEEM AS CORRECT IS CONSIDERED WOKE.

RESCUE THAT IS HOW MIKE MILTON FIRST HEARD THE WORD WOKE, LIGHT YEARS AWAY FROM THE ORIGINAL MEANING.

SO I CALLED HIM BACK UP AND SHARE THE STORY WITH HIM.

>> EDUCATED ME THAT IT GOES BACK NOT JUST TO WHATEVER THAT WAS, 90s OR EARLY 2000'S, BUT BACK TO THE 60s AND EARLY 70s, PERHAPS.

>> Reporter: DR. SMITH ANTICIPATES WE WILL BE HEARING THE WORD WOKE A LOT THIS ELECTION SEASON.

IT IS WHY WE WANT US TO QUESTION WHO IS USING THE WORD AND WHY.

SO WE CAN PUSH PAST BUZZWORDS AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT REAL ISSUES.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK, AT KPBS.ORG.

AMERICANS ARE SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN UKRAINE ONLINE BY BOOKING AIRBNB.

AS A WAY TO HELP THOSE TRAPPED IN THE WAR ZONE.

THE STORY YOU SAW EARLIER ON THE RESPONSE TIME BY FAULK AMBULANCES IS GETTING A LOT OF USE, SO IS THOMAS FUDGE'S REPORT THAT LINKS THE 2017 OR AVAIL DAM CRISIS TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT OUR MOST POPULAR STORY THIS WEEK IS FROM OUR BORDER REPORTER, SAN DIEGO'S HOUSING COSTS ARE MAKING MEXICO A MORE ATTRACTIVE OPTION TO FIND A HOME.

THEY TRAVEL TO BAJA TO SEE HOW FAR THE DOLLAR WILL STRETCH, AND HOW THE PROBLEMS WITH AMERICANS IS AFFECTING THEIR HOUSING MARKET.

>> Reporter: I AM SENDING THE WEEKEND IN TIJUANA.

>> THIS IS THE TYPE OF REALTOR WHO DARKS INTO A BEDROOM, AND WITH A FLOURISH OPENS THE CURTAINS TO REVEAL A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF TIJUANA MOUNTAINS.

>> YOU HAVE A BALCONY WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUT A TABLE AND CHAIRS.

AND ENJOY THE AFTERNOON.

AND THIS TYPE OF HOUSE IS $950.

>> Reporter: A TWO BEDROOM HOUSE WITH A SMALL YARD AND A BALCONY AND IT IS JUST 15 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE BORDER.

IN SAN DIEGO, THAT $950 A MONTH MIGHT GET YOU A STUDIO.

TIJUANA HAS ALSO BEEN A PLACE WHERE AMERICANS LIVE OF AFFORDABLY, BUT IN 2022 AMERICA'S FINEST CITY ALSO BECAME ITS MOST UNAFFORDABLE.

ACCORDING TO SOME INSTITUTES, IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE MOVING SOUTH HAS BECOME A FLUX.

>> OUT OF 15 CALLS, SEVEN ARE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN MOVED FOR A CRISIS, MOVED TO TIJUANA.

WE PAY LOW RENTS AND HAVE A LOWER COST OF LIVING IN TIJUANA, AND THEN, HAVE THE POWERFUL EARNING POWER OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: SHE LOCKED HER NORTH PARK CONDO AND LEFT, BUT THAT MISFORTUNE GAVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A MOVE SHE WANTED TO FOR A LONG TIME.

SHE MOVED TO TIJUANA FOR A RESIDENCE AND SHE QUICKLY BECAME INVOLVED IN TIJUANA.

>> I FEEL LIKE I AM NOT JUST HERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHEAP RENT.

BUT I'M HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: WOULD SHE MOVED TO TIJUANA IN 2011 SHE THOUGHT IT WAS EDGY.

HER COWORKERS THOUGHT IT WAS MORE QUIRKY THAN USUAL.

BUT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, COLTON SAID FRIENDS AND COWORKERS HAVE BEEN HITTING HER UP FOR ADVICE.

>> EXPLAINED HOW YOU DID THIS BECAUSE I AM THINKING ABOUT IT, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT TO DO, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR RENT?

AND WHERE SHOULD I GO?

>> Reporter: SHE IS HELPING SOMEONE AMONG THE NEW ARRIVALS, HE WENT 18 MONTHS WITHOUT FINDING STEADY WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE SOLUTION THAT I DIDN'T, I WAS IN THE MARKET FOR IT, I NEEDED A PLACE TO LIVE.

SO IT IS DEFINITELY A SOLUTION FOR A PLACE TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: HE IS A $550 A MONTH FOR A TWO REGIMEN APARTMENT, ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE BORDER.

HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IS NICE FOR THAT IN TWO WANT TO, LET ALONE SAN DIEGO, AND IT IS NOT JUST LOWER RENT, ASHER SAYS HE PAYS LESS FOR FOOD, UTILITIES, CELL PHONE BILLS, DENTAL VISITS AND EVEN CAR INSURANCE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT PLACE IS THIS LOW IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: EVERY TIME SOMEONE LIKE ASHER MAKES A MOVE SOUTH, THERE IS AN IMPACT.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECOMES LESS AFFORDABLE FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE, AND THE LOCAL REALTOR SAID WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SAN DIEGO FOR DECADES IS NOW HAPPENING IN TIJUANA.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT LESS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME NOW.

AND ALSO ADDING THE SHORTAGE OF PRODUCTION ON HOUSING.

>> Reporter: THAT HOME WITH A BALCONY, THE ONE GOING FOR $950 A MONTH, THEY RENTED FOR 750 JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO.

THEY KNOW THEY CAN MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY BY RENTING TO AMERICANS, AND RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN UPPER MIDDLE CLASS RESIDENCES NEAR THE BORDER CITY RENT GO APPEAR BUT UNLIKE AMERICAN, PEOPLE LIVING IN TIJUANA CANNOT CROSS THE BORDER TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

INSTEAD THEY ARE PRICED OUT AND GOING TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN.

THE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH FEWER JOBS, LESS PUBLIC SERVICES AND MORE CRIME.

>> IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

MIDDLE CLASS AND LOWER CLASS, AND WORKING CLASS.

AND IT IS GOING TO AFFECT THEM IN THE LONG RUN.

BECAUSE THE PRICES ARE GOING TO GO HIGHER.

AND THE SAME THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN THAT DOES HAPPEN IN SAN DIEGO, TO TIJUANA.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THEY WANT TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN MOVE TO.

EXCEPT THE EXTERIOR OF THE CITY.

WEATHER IS NOT A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT.

>>> LOCAL COLLEGES ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND ENOUGH HOUSING FOR THEIR STUDENTS.

SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE DOWNTOWN THE PLAN IS IN THE WORKS TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER SHOWS WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> Reporter: THIS USED TO BE A PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS, AND THE LEARNING CENTER FOR SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE STUDENTS STUDYING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.

SHUT DOWN WHEN COVID HIT.

A NEW AND IMPROVED CENTER OPENED AROUND THE CORNER LAST SPRING.

>> THIS WHOLE PLACE WILL BE RAISED.

>> Reporter: JOHN PARKER HANDLES FINANCE AND FACILITIES WERE CITY COLLEGE, HE KNOWS EVERY DETAIL OF WHAT THIS CORNER LOT AND ADJACENT TO THE CAMPUS, COULD LOOK LIKE WITHIN FIVE YEARS.

>> IT WILL BE ON THE 50th FLOOR, HYPOTHETICALLY, A SINGLE RESIDENT UNIT LOOKING AT A ONE MILLION-DOLLAR CONDO OR APARTMENT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.

>> Reporter: ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING SO A 16 STORY HIGH- RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, HOUSING 210 APARTMENTS WITH ROOM FOR MORE THAN 600 RESIDENTS.

ALL REGISTERED STUDENTS AT CITY COLLEGE.

THE COLLEGE WAS JUST AWARDED $344,000 IN STATE GRANT MONEY TO PLAN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

MORE GRANT MONEY WILL COME WHEN IT IS TIME TO START CONSTRUCTION.

>> WE ACTUALLY DID HAVE TO COMPLETE A MARKET ANALYSIS FOR RENT AND TO ENSURE THAT THE RENT WOULD BE BELOW MARKET.

AND GET PRIORITY GIVEN TO LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS THE HOUSING SITUATION RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW I AM HOMELESS.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW MARIA MENA STUDY HERE AT THE NEW CITY COLLEGE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

WHILE LIVING IN A HOTEL WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN.

THE FAMILY IMMIGRATED FROM MEXICO, AND CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

>> WE TRY TO APPLY FOR DIFFERENT HOUSES AND APARTMENTS BUT WE ARE ON A WAITING LIST.

AND WE PAID FOR THE APPLICATION.

BUT NOTHING HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: MARIA IS NOT ALONE IN THE SEARCH FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IN 2020 CITY COLLEGE OFFICIALS SURVEYED THEIR STUDENTS AS THE PANDEMIC PROCEEDED.

64% OF THEM SAID THEY WERE LIVING WITH HOUSING AND SECURITY.

A SIMILAR STORY IN SOUTH BAY WHERE SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE IS GIVEN ALMOST $1 MILLION IN STATE GRANT MONEY.

TO PLAN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR STUDENTS AT ITS FOUR CAMPUSES.

MORE THAN 70 CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES WILL BENEFIT FROM THE STATE FUNDING TO HELP STUDENTS SURVIVE AND SUCCEED.

>> THEY MAY HAVE KIDS, TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, SO THIS WILL PROVIDE A REALLY FOR THEM TO FOCUS ON THEIR STUDIES.

AND GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS.

>> Reporter: FOREMAN SAYS THAT IT WILL LEAD TO HOMES FOR FAMILIES.

>>> SAN DIEGO MIGHT HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO EXPAND THE CONVENTION CENTER, A LEGAL RULING THIS WEEK COULD BE THE END OF A BALLOT MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE ALSO PAID FOR HOMELESS SERVICES.

ANDREW BOWEN'S TELLS US WHERE THINGS STAND.

>> Reporter: MEASURE'S ON THE BALLOT WOULD HAVE EXPANDED THE CONVENTION CENTER, HOPELESSNESS PROGRAM, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT GOT ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE A TWO THIRDS MAJORITY, THAT KICKED OFF A LONG AND COMPLEX LEGAL BATTLE OVER WHAT THRESHOLD THE MEASURE NEEDED FOR APPROVAL.

AND WHETHER THE CITY WAITED TWO LONG BEFORE DECODING.

>> THIS CASE COULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT ANY BALLOT MEASURE, OUR CONCERN WAS ABOUT THE POWER TAKEN BY CITY COUNCIL TO LOWER ELECTION LAW AND MANIPULATE THE ELECTION TO GET THE RESULT THAT THEY WANTED.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA SENT K PBS THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT, SAYING THIS RULING IS AN UNFORTUNATE DELAY BUT WE ARE UNDETERRED IN SEEKING THE COURSE OF VALIDATION MEASURES.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO SECURE THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR HOMELESSNESS AND ROAD REPAIR, THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF SAN DIEGO'S HAVE VOTED FOR.

THEY HAVE TO BOW TO MOVE THE KATE OUT TO THE COURT OF APPEALS.

>>> SOME BETTER NEWS THIS WEEK FOR THE MAJOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL ENDED ITS LOCKOUT AFTER TEAM OWNERS AND PLAYERS AGREE TO A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.

THIS SEASON WILL START APRIL SEVENTH WITH THE FIRST HOME GAME AT PETCO PARK ON APRIL 14.

A HANDFUL OF GAMES THAT WERE CANCELED WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

AND FINALLY, A BIG CHANGES IN STORE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE AREA THAT INCLUDES SEAPORT VILLAGE.

WE SEE WHAT DEVELOPERS HAVE IN MIND FOR THE WATERFRONT.

>> Reporter: ON A PERFECT SAN DIEGO DAY, TOURISTS ARE MILLING AROUND CATCHING THE SUN.

WITH SOMETHING NEW OVER THE HORIZON WHICH COULD DRASTICALLY CHANGE THIS PART OF THE WATERFRONT.

THE PORT IS REBUILDING THE DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT WHICH INCLUDES SEAPORT VILLAGE AND TWO NEARBY PARKS.

>> THAT IS NOT SITTING WELL WITH ME.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NOT SITTING WELL WITH THIS MAN, BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS FOR YEARS.

>> IT IS A BEAUTIFUL BAY, THEY WALK AROUND AND THEY ENJOY YOURSELF AND IT'S A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.

CHANGING IT?

I DON'T REALLY AGREE.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD CHANGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA, BUT OTHERS WHO OWN OTHER BUSINESSES THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT IT GETS AN UPGRADE.

MAKE IT IS A GREAT IDEA, IT IS TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE TREATMENTS THAT ARE RUNNING THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN ALL OF THIS WOULD BE GONE, EXCEPT FOR THE CAROUSEL AND REPLACE WITH HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND KITCHEN SPACE AS WELL AS A YACHT CLUB.

THERE ARE ALSO PLANS FOR A OBSERVATION DECK, AN AQUARIUM AND PUBLIC SPACE.

THE CEO OF THE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT, SAID THE PROJECT WILL BE TRANSFORMATIONAL.

HE SAYS THAT HIS PRIORITY THAT SMALL BUSINESSES THAT MAKE UP SEAPORT VILLAGE BE ABLE TO STAY AND BE PART OF THE NEW WATERFRONT.

>> WE HAVE MADE THE COMMITMENT TO THEM THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO STAY WILL BE ABLE TO STAY.

WE WILL PHASE OUT PROJECTS TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS, WE REALIZE THAT SMALL BUSINESS CAN SHUT DOWN AND OPEN UP IF YOU LOSE LATER.

>> IT WOULD BE SOMETIME BEFORE THE PORT MAKES THE FINAL DECISION.

K PBS NEWS.

>>> AND WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT K PBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, THANKS FOR JOINING US.