♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US SO FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I KPBS INVESTIGATION INTO AN OCEAN SIDE CREDIT ASSOCIATION HAS CAUGHT NATIONAL ATTENTION AND WHY ELIZABETH WARREN IS CALLING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO GET INVOLVED.

>>> THE LITHIUM -- IS LOOKING TO BRING BUSINESS TO THE IMPERIAL VALLEY BUT SOME ARE WARY OF CLAIMS.

>>> AND WE ARE GETTING A RARE LOOK AT TUNA CRABS CARPETING THE SHORES.

>>> WE HAVE AN UPDATED LOOK AT HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO.

AT THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT RESULTS SHOT SAW 10.5 MILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT HOUSING.

>> Reporter: IN JANUARY, VOLUNTEERS SET OUT AT 4:00 A.M. TO CONDUCT THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT.

IT ASSESSES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON ONE NIGHT.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN INTERVIEWED BY ANYBODY THIS MORNING?

>> Reporter: THE NUMBERS ARE USED TO HELP THE COUNTY RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS CRISIS.

>> YOUR DATE OF BIRTH?

>> Reporter: THE RESULTS SHOW 341 MORE PEOPLE, A 3% RISE IN HOMELESSNESS OVERALL IN THE COUNTY COMPARED TO LAST YEAR BUT MORE THAN 900 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE LIVING IN SHELTERED.

JORDAN BEING, CHIEF OF STAFF AT THE REGIONAL TASK THE 44% INCREASE IN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING THE RISE.

>> WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME OVER EXITING HOMELESSNESS.

THESE NUMBERS ARE NOT A SURPRISE BUT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF SUFFERING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HALF OF PEOPLE AGE 55 AND OLDER ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS SENIORS.

PAUL DOWNEY, THE CEO OF SERVING SENIORS SAYS IT IS A TROUBLING TREND.

>> BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC REASONS, PRIMARILY, PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN CARS BUT, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY LOSE THE CAR AND END UP ON THE STREET .

>> Reporter: THE POINT IN TIME COUNT FIVE MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN THEIR CARS.

>> THESE ARE IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR A RENTAL SUBSIDY.

>> Reporter: THE PILOT PROGRAM GIVES ELIGIBLE SENIORS A $500 RENTAL SUBSIDY.

DOWNEY SAYS THE RECENT CAMPING BAN HAS REDISTRIBUTED ON HOUSE PEOPLE FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE COUNTY.

>> IT IS PUSHING PEOPLE WHO NEED RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED ACCESS TO, TO SURVIVE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS, THEY CANNOT ACCESS THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE MILES AWAY.

>> Reporter: DOWNEY SAYS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO HELP WITH MOVING THE NUMBERS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

HEIDI DiMARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN FOUR MONTHS SINCE FLOODS HIT SAN DIEGO.

MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL IN TEMPORARY LODGING.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAY SAYS ASSISTANCE IS WINDING DOWN .

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF 65 HOTELS INCLUDED IN THE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY LODGING.

THEY HAVE BEEN HOUSING PEOPLE SINCE 2012 INCLUDING MICHAEL RIOS, WHO HAS LIVED IN A SHELTER, ON THE COUCH OF A FRONT AND IN FIVE DIFFERENT HOTELS AND IT HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL.

>> IT IS TOUGH NOT KNOWING WHERE YOU WILL STAY THE NEXT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: HE LOST EVERYTHING IN HIS APARTMENT ON JANUARY 22 AND HIS RENTERS INSURANCE CLAIMS WERE DENIED.

THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY TOLD KPBS THEY PLAN TO RENOVATE AND ALLOW TENANTS TO MOVE BACK IN BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A TIMELINE.

LOCAL LEADERS NEED TO DO MORE TO HELP PEOPLE GET BACK INTO THEIR HOMES.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO GET STUCK IN HOTELS.

WE WANT TO GO BACK TO OUR PLACE SO YOU CAN PAY TO FIX PLACES OR OR YOU CAN INCENTIVIZE LANDLORDS TO MOVE THEM.

IT WOULD HELP PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WILL BE IN BETTER SITUATIONS.

>> Reporter: RIOS SAYS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE STILL IN HOTELS BUT THE TEMPORARY HOUSING PROGRAM WILL AND ROGER 21st.

RIOS HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR ROOMS TO RENT BUT DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE TO GO YET.

>> IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS BAD.

IT HAS IMPROVED BUT, IT IS TOUGH.

>> Reporter: HE IS ALSO PREPARING FOR SURGERY NEXT MONTH.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WILL RECOVER OR WHERE I WILL SLEEP THAT.

>> Reporter: JEFF TONY IS THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND HE SAYS THE TOUGH HOUSING MARKET IS PART OF THE REASON WHY THERE ARE STILL FLOOD VICTIMS IN HOTELS.

>> PEOPLE MAY NOT WANT TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR OUT OF THEIR HOUSE OR THEY MAY NOT BE READY AND IT IS THE SAD TRUTH.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE.

>> Reporter: TONY SAYS THE COUNTY IS WORKING WITH THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION AND -- TO GET REMAINING FLOOD VICTIMS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

THE HOUSING COMMISSION -- THE SECTION 8 WAITLIST IS 12-15 YEARS.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN UPDATE TO A KPBS INVESTIGATION.

ELIZABETH WARREN IS CALLING FOR THE REVIEW OF A CONTRACT WITH A CREDIT UNION AND THE MARINE CORPS.

>> Reporter: FRONT WAVE HAS AN EXCLUSIVE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE MARINE CORPS THAT GOES BACK DECADES.

A KPBS INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT MARINE RECRUITS THAT COME THROUGH BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO ARE FUNNELED TO THE CREDIT UNION.

THEY ALSO COLLECT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OVERDRAFT FEES EVERY YEAR THAT COME FROM YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SERVE THE COUNTRY.

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN HAS SPEARHEADED AN INVESTIGATION.

>> WE ARE CONCERNED THAT YOUNG MARINE RECRUITS ARE BEING CHEATED BY THIS CREDIT UNION.

THIS IS JUST ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION HONING IN ON YOUNG AND VULNERABLE SERVICEMEMBERS.

>> Reporter: AN EIGHT PAGE LETTER WAS SENT BUT WARREN IS DEMANDED MORE DETAILED ANSWERS AND IS CALLING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO GET INVOLVED.

SHE SAID THEY EOD SHOULD REVIEW ITS AGREEMENT WITH FRONT WAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT SERVICEMEMBERS ARE NOT BEING RIPPED OFF.

FRONT WAVE CEO L BERNIE DECLINED TO COMMENT.

SCOTT ROHDE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE MEXICO PRESIDENTIALLY ELECTION IS ONE WEEK FROM SUNDAY.

WE EXPLAIN HOW THAT COULD IMPACT POLLUTION AND LONG BORDER WAIT TIMES.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SOUND OF A TIJUANA APARTMENT BUILDING CRUMBLING TO THE GROUND.

IT IS JUST ONE SIDE OF THE INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE.

OTHER SITES INCLUDE OUTDATED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS.

DUMPING RAW SEWAGE INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

OR THOUSANDS OF CARS WAITING UP TO FOUR HOURS TO CROSS INTO THE BORDER OF SAN DIEGO.

ALL OF THIS COMES FROM DECADES OF NEGLECT AND IS CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS FROM POLLUTION AND THE COMBINATION BECAUSE OF SEWAGE TO HIGH ASTHMA RATES IN COMMUNITIES NEAR THOSE LONG LINES OF CARS WAITING TO CROSS THE BORDER BUT THINGS ARE CHANGING ALTHOUGH SLOWLY.

>> IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF BIG INVESTMENTS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY IN TIJUANA AND HE IS REFERRING TO HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS INCLUDING MUCH NEEDED REPAIRS TO THE WASTEWATER PLANT SOUTH OF TIJUANA.

HOW THINGS CHANGE FROM HERE COULD DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMPLEX.

BOTH SAY THE ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE HIGH PRIORITIES.

HOWEVER, THEY DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE HOST TO -- RELATE REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS.

WE SPOKE WITH A PROFESSOR AND HE SAYS THE CONNECTIONS TO THE CURRENT GOVERNOR COULD BRING FEDERAL PESOS TO THE AREA.

THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE -- PARTY.

>> I THINK THAT IF HE WINS AND BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THEY BELONG TO THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY I THINK COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE BETTER.

>> Reporter: HER POLITICAL CONNECTIONS HURT HER ON POLITICAL ISSUES.

OIL PRODUCTION IS ONE OF HIS MAJOR TOPICS.

>> OIL IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF -- AND IT STRENGTHENS YOUR SOVEREIGNTY.

TO SOME EXTENT HE MIGHT BE RIGHT .

>> Reporter: LOPEZ EMBRACES OIL PRODUCTION AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HIS CENTRALIZED BELIEF THE POWER.

THEY ALSO SUPPORT BRINGING THE MILITARY TO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND SUPPORTING THE PARTY.

DASHES NOT RESTRAINED BY POLICIES.

>> SHE IS PUSHING FOR THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY.

THAT COULD BE BENEFICIAL IN TERMS OF OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: BUT DASHES MORE DUBIOUS WITH THE CENTRALIZED APPROACH.

>> THERE IS DIFFICULTY EMPOWERING -- WE ARE MORE FOCUSED ON GRASSROOTS AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.

IT MIGHT PROVIDE BETTER SOLUTIONS IF FUNDING IS AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS THE BORDER REGION WILL GET MORE ATTENTION THAN IT HAS.

HE HAS NOT PRIORITIZED THE U.S. AND MEXICO RELATIONSHIP.

CASTRO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR AFRICAN STUDIES THAT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> I FEEL COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY AND EVEN OPTIMISTIC.

EITHER CHOICE IS GOOD FOR MEXICO.

>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY, FERNANDEZ SAYS LOCAL COMMUNITIES ALONG THE BORDER CANNOT DEPEND ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR EVERYTHING.

LOCAL LEADERS MUST ALSO STEP UP.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE FROM TIJUANA AND CALIFORNIA REALLY NEED TO -- DO THE THINGS -- .

>> Reporter: IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP WILL EMERGE.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS IS HOSTING A VIRTUAL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ELECTION THAT AIRS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, ON KPBS.ORG ALONG WITH KPBS YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK PAGES.

>>> ACROSS THE IMPERIAL VALLEY PEOPLE ARE PREPARING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE LITHIUM ENERGY.

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR IS MAKING BIG PROMISES OF NEW JOBS AND TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH THAT, KPBS REPORTER COREY SUZUKI SAYS THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE HEARD THE STORY BEFORE .

>> Reporter: RYAN PEREZ WAS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO MAJOR IN.

HE JUST STARTED A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND HE TRIED ART HOPING TO LAUNCH A CAREER IN FILM AND THEN HE STARTED LOOKING FOR OTHER OPTIONS AND THAT IS WHEN HE STARTED TO HEAR ABOUT SOLAR.

>> IT WAS EXCITING.

I THOUGHT IF IT WAS IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY IT WOULD BE SOMETHING GREAT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS EXPANDING ACROSS THE AREA WILL BRING IN GOOD JOBS.

THERE WERE FLYERS AROUND SCHOOL AND ADS IN THE PAPER.

HE SIGNED UP AND TOOK CLASSES IN WIRING AND ELECTRICAL BOARDS.

HE SAW A BRIGHT FUTURE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

AS GRADUATION APPROACHED PEREZ WAS NOT HEARING BACK FROM ANY OF HIS APPLICATIONS.

THOSE JOBS WERE NOT THERE.

>> I DID NOT GET CALLBACKS.

>> Reporter: HIS EXPERIENCE WAS PART OF A PERIOD OF --.

THE REGION HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF SUNLIGHT, WIND, AND UNDERGROUND HEAT.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES HAVE COME PROMISING TO BRING NEW GROWTH.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE MANY PEOPLE CANNOT FIND WORK.

IMPERIAL COUNTY IS THE SECOND POOREST COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA.

ANY ANDRES IS A PROFESSOR OF HISTORY THAT HAS STUDIED THE REGION AND HE SAYS THAT IS BECAUSE MOST OF THE LAND AND WEALTH IS HELD BY A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE.

>> IT IS A SYSTEM WHERE POVERTY IS ENDEMIC BECAUSE THE PROFITS ON THE WEALTH ARE SO SKEWED AS FAR AS DISTRIBUTION.

>> Reporter: GEOTHERMAL IS ONE OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIES TO COME SINCE THE 80s.

THEY WANT TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS BUT THOSE PRODUCTIONS DID NOT PAN OUT.

BY THE MID-90s DEVELOPMENT OF NEW GEOTHERMAL ENERGIES SLOWED AND THE NEWEST PLANT IS ALREADY MORE THAN 15 YEARS OLD.

GEOTHERMAL PRODUCES 5 MILLION MEGAWATTS OF ENERGY, FAR MORE THAN PREDICTED.

PAUL RODRIGUEZ IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE MAIN POWER UTILITY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN -- IN TERMS OF SOLAR INSTALLS.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME OF THE STRICTEST MANDATES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE TECHNOLOGY DID TAKE OFF.

THE COUNTY WENT FROM HAVING NO SOLAR TO SIGNING OFF ON 30 NEW PROJECTS.

MANY RESIDENTS WERE HOPEFUL THAT THIS NEW INDUSTRY WOULD BRING IN THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND THE COLLEGE LAUNCHED JOBS IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AND THE LOCAL ELECTRICAL WORKERS TO BUILT A NEW TRAINING CENTER BUT MANY OF THOSE JOBS WERE SHORT-LIVED.

THE TECHNOLOGY CAME UNDER FIRE FOR TAKING OVER AGRICULTURAL LAND.

>> THE LANDOWNERS, --.

>> Reporter: AND JOYOUS IS THE HORROR STORY AND AGAIN.

>> WE HAD VERY GOOD FIELDS FOR A MOST 100 YEARS.

THEY WERE JUST VERY PRODUCTIVE AND A LOT OF WAGES AND THEY ARE NOW SOLAR FARMS.

>> Reporter: SOME SAY THAT THIS IS DEPRIVING AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND TAKING WORK AWAY RATHER THAN CREATING.

>> THEY WERE NOT TRUE.

>> Reporter: A DECADE LATER ANOTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY IS MAKING HEADLINES.

LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND THE PROMISES ARE BIGGER.

STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE REBRANDING THE AREA.

MANY RESIDENTS REMEMBER THE PAST PROMISES THAT DID NOT MATERIALIZE AND THEY WONDER IF THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

THERE IS ALSO PLENTY OF HOPE.

DESPITE HIS PAST EXPERIENCES WITH THE SOLAR INDUSTRY, RYAN PEREZ IS EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES.

>> IT FEELS LIKE A HUGE CHANGE.

SOLAR WAS SOMETHING NEW BUT IT IT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WAS MAKING A HUGE IMPACT.

>> Reporter: TOMORROW WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND STATE LAWMAKERS ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT LITHIUM BRINGS BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OF THE VALLEY.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN FIND PART TWO OF THIS STORY ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

IT THAT IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR IN-DEPTH REPORTING AND WERE YOU CAN STREAM KPBS NEWS DAILY.

>>> A RARE SIGHT ON THE COAST.

UNTOLD THOUSANDS OF TUNA CRABS COVERING THE OCEAN FLOOR.

OUR REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE BRINGS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO COAST IS A GREAT PLACE TO SURF AND KAYAK BUD WHAT IS REALLY EXCITING MIGHT BE HAPPENING BELOW THE SURFACE.

IT WAS OFF OF THE LA JOLLA SHORES BEACH THAT WHERE A MAN -- AND WOMEN WENT EVERYONE NOW AND SHE SAW SOMETHING AMAZING.

>> AS WE GOT CLOSER TO THE CANYON WE STARTED TO DESCEND AND IT WAS JUST A CARPET OF TUNA CRABS.

IT WAS JUST READ AS FAR AS MY DEADLINES COULD ELIMINATE.

>> Reporter: SHE WENT WITH CAMERA AND LIGHTS AND SAW THEM IN THE UNDERGROUND CANYON.

THEY ARE CRABS BUT THEY LOOK MORE LIKE LOBSTERS.

THE TUNA CRABS ARE A TASTY SNACK FOR MANY PREDATORS LIKE TUNA OR ROCKFISH.

>> Reporter: I ACTUALLY DID SEE A PREDATION EVENT.

WHEN I WAS DOWN IN THE CANYON ON APRIL 21, I CAUGHT SOME FOOTAGE OF A ROCK FISH EATING ONE.

>> Reporter:THE TUNA CRABS EAT KRILL IN THE OPEN OCEAN, AND SAGATOV FOUND OUT THAT THEY SOMETIMES EAT EACH OTHER.

SHE SAW A GROUP OF THEM FEASTING ON A SINGLE ONE.

SHE SAW ANOTHER, FINISHING OFF A FELLOW SQUAT LOBSTER'S ARM AND CLAW LIKE IT WAS A FRENCH FRY.

SEEING THESE SO CLOSE TO SHORE IS NOT UNUSUAL.

SHE SAID SHE CAUGHT GLIMPSES OF THEM BEFORE.

>>I HAVE SEEN THESE SQUAT LOBSTERS THAT LIVE IN THE DEEP SEA IN THESE REALLY EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS.

SO TO GO OUT HERE AND SEE THOUSANDS OF THEM IS PRETTY COOL BECAUSE IN THE DEEP SEA ENVIRONMENT, YOU MAYBE SEE ONE OR TWO AT A TIME.

>> Reporter: TUNA CRABS ARE OFTEN FOUND IN SUBTROPICAL WATERS.

WARM WATER CURRENTS THAT COME WITH EL NINO HAVE MOVED A LOT OF THE CREATURES NORTHWARD.

>>WELL THEY CAME UP FROM THEIR CENTER OF DISTRIBUTION OFF BAJA CALIFORNIA, ACCOMPANIED WITH THE WARM WATER THAT HAPPENED ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.

BUT THEY REALLY HAVEN'T LEFT IN THE DEEPER WATER.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE DEEPER WATER IS WHERE THEY ARE LIKELY HEADED AS THE RECENT EL NINO WINDS.

SO MANY TUNA CRABS HAVE BEEN SEEN OFF OF LA JOLLA SHORES AND IT IS REALLY SPECIAL.

>> IT IS REALLY SPECIAL TO DISCOVER SOMETHING.

EVERY DIME I GO ON I FEEL LIKE A SENSE OF WONDER.

EVEN IF WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING EXTRAORDINARILY UNIQUE, I LOVE BEING IN THE OCEAN.

>> Reporter: THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MARKS THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER.

TOURISM IN SAN DIEGO IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY KICKED OFF THE SUMMER SEASON WITH STREAMERS, ROLLER SKATERS AND LOCAL MASCOTS ON TUESDAY.

THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SAID THAT TOURISM IS A VITAL PART OF THE SAN DIEGO ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: THE SUPPORTS ONE IN EIGHT JOBS IN SAN DIEGO EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AND IT IS RELATED TO THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT WE GET TO CALL HOME.

WHEN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY THRIVES THE ENTIRE SAN DIEGO REGION THRIVES.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO FUNDS CITY SERVICES.

MORE THAN $170 MILLION IN OCCUPANCY TAXES WENT INTO THE SAN DIEGO GENERAL FUND LAST YEAR.

>> IT FILLS POTHOLES AND CLEARS STORM DRAINS.

IT MAINTAINS THE STREETS AND THE SIDEWALKS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 32 MILLION PEOPLE WILL VISIT SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR.

A FEW MILLION SHY OF 2019 LEVELS.

THE TOURISM AUTHORITY SAYS DEMAND FOR HOTEL ROOMS WILL LIKELY NOT REACH PRETEND PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS UNTIL 2025.

IN THE MEANTIME CONVENTION GOERS HAVE BEEN KEY TO FILLING ROOMS ON WEEKNIGHTS.

>> THE VISITORS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF NOT JUST THE CONVENTIONS AND STAYING LONGER FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND BRINGING FAMILIES AND EXTENDING THEIR STAYS.

>> Reporter: HOTELS ARE KEEPING VISITORS IN TOWN BY OFFERING PACKAGE DEALS FOR ATTRACTIONS LIKE -- VENUES.

PETCO PARK TURNS 20 AND LEGOLAND TURNS 25 THIS SUMMER.

C WORLD COMIC-CON AND THE BALBOA THEATER TURNS 100 .

I'M KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CRAFT BEER IS A BIG DRAW FOR TOURISM IN THE COUNTRY.

WE GOT A LOOK AT A BANK EXPANSION PROJECT.

THE PLAN WAS TO EXPAND THE FACILITY TO BRING -- AND OVER THE LAST TWO WORLDS THE COMPANY ADDED MORE TANKS AND PACKAGING LINES TO INCREASE CAPACITY.

>> WE HAVE MOMENTUM A BIG PLANS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE INTERIM CEO OF THIS COMPANY AND THEY AIM TO BECOME THE 10th LARGEST BURY IN THE NATION.

>> THAT IS A LOT OF HARD WORK BUT IT COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS.

WE HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB GETTING TO THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE INVESTED $60 MILLION IN EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES.

40 MILLION IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION AND $20 BILLION IN ESCONDIDO.

THIS WILL DOUBLE THE BREWERY.

FOR THE CITY IT MEANS SO MUCH MORE.

>> IT IS JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

IT IS REVENUE FOR THE CITY.

>> Reporter: DEAN WHITE IS THE MAYOR OF ESCONDIDO.

THIS SUPPORTS 125 JOBS LOCALLY.

IT IS HELPING THE CITY CLOSE THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

>> IT DOES HELP PROBLEMS.

SALES TAX IS THE LARGEST REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE CITY SO HAVING THIS BIG OF THIS PART OF THE ECONOMY RIGHT HERE IN ESCONDIDO HELPS.

>> Reporter: ALL BEER BREWED IN THE UNITED STATES, BASIC TO HAVE IT BREWED IN THE COUNTRY.

IT ALSO MEANS RECOGNITION FOR THE CRAFT BEER SCENE.

STILL BREWING IS --.

>> IT MEANS RECOGNITION AND IT MEANS THAT WE STILL HAVE SOMETHING HERE THAT PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE DONATED A DOZEN CAMPERS TO THE CITY WHICH THEN DESIGNATED THEM SPECIFICALLY FOR FAMILIES NEEDING HOUSING.

SOMETHING THEY DID NOT BE BEFORE.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND MANY HAVE JOBS.

THERE IS SOME AT INCOME GAP AND WE ARE TRYING TO CONNECT THEM TO OTHER RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: AN 18-YEAR-OLD WANTED TO SHOW IT SHOW US WHO SHE IS SO SHE COULD TELL HER STORY.

IT IS INSPIRING.

>> I FEEL LIKE BECAUSE I AM HOMELESS, IT DOES NOT STOP ME.

>> Reporter: AND ZORA SHARES THE CAMPER WITH HER MOTHER AND TWO SIBLINGS THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> I STILL HAD STRAIGHT A's FALL SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Reporter: SHE IS TWO WEEKS FROM THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND WILL BE ATTENDING MIRAMAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO GET A DEGREE IN BUSINESS.

>> THEY HAVE TOLD ME.

GOING TO COLLEGE, YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT.

YOU CAN SWITCH YOUR MAJOR.

>> YOU CAN SEE THEIR ABILITY IN THEIR TELE-.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MENTORS THAT HELPED HER IS RITA SCHAFER, A RETIRED TEACHER, WHO HAS LED A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS IN HELPING CHILDREN HERE WITH HOMEWORK AND HOPE THAT THEY BRING FOOD, TOILETRIES, AND WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO GO NEXT.

>> SOMETIMES, THEY HAVE MOVED ON AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT BECAUSE IT NOT OUR PRIVILEGE TO KNOW AND THEY HAVE MOVED ON AND UP BUT THE NEXT FAMILY COMES IN AND WE GO, OKAY.

>> NEEDING HELP IS NOT NECESSARILY PEOPLE FEELING PEOPLE WANT TO HELP YOU.

THEY GENUINELY WANT TO HELP YOU SO TAKE THE HELP.

>> THAT IS HOPE THAT SOMEDAY SHE PLANS TO PAY FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

♪