Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Phone: 619-565-6456
Email: opassons@gmail.com
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Biography
Omar Passons is Deputy City Manager for the City of San Jose where his primary focus areas are leadership to prevent and end homelessness and to enhance the quality of life of all San Jose residents. Prior to joining the City of San Jose, Passons was the first person to serve as Director of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency’s Office of Homeless Solutions. In that capacity, he led a team to align critical services and supports offered by the County to prevent and end homelessness. This work required leadership across a range of County internal departments that addressed every aspect of the Social Determinants of Health and working to strengthen partnerships with local government and community leaders from a range of backgrounds, including those who were currently or formerly experiencing homelessness. Passons is a former construction and land use attorney and began his career evaluating public health programs at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This combination of policy and community level engagement on land use issues provides a strong basis for addressing the complex issues involved in preventing and addressing homelessness.
Passons served on the San Diego Workforce Development Board for seven years, the Management Committee of the Urban Land Institute, the San Diego Regional Taskforce on Homelessness Continuum of Care Committee to Address Homelessness Among Black San Diegans and the Board of CDC Small Business Finance. He is a past-President of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and former Board member of the California Association of Black Lawyers. He received his undergraduate and Master of Public Health degrees at the University of Arizona and his law degree from George Mason University School of Law. He is a civic leader on issues impacting economic equity, homelessness, and creating opportunities for all members of the community to lead lives of dignity.