County Supervisor Candidates Discuss Homelessness During Virtual Forum

SAN DIEGO, CA — County supervisor candidates Paloma Aguirre and John McCann joined an official with Father Joe's Villages for a recent virtual "fireside chat" and offered suggestions on tackling the homelessness crisis.

Aguirre and McCann participated in the 38-minute forum hosted Wednesday by Deacon Jim Vargas on YouTube.

Aguirre, Imperial Beach mayor, and McCann, Chula Vista mayor, are seeking the District 1 seat left vacant by Nora Vargas.

Vargas announced in late December that she would not serve her second term despite winning re-election in November.

The District 1 special election is July 1. Aguirre and McCann shared their views on topics ranging from the county budget to immigration raids during a Tuesday night debate broadcast on ABC10.

Over the last few years, the Board of Supervisors has approved spending hundreds of millions of dollars for programs to reduce homelessness and drug abuse, along with better behavioral health resources.

According to a news release from Father Joe's Villages, more than 9,000 county residents experience homelessness across the region on any given night.

"While San Diego County has made great strides in supporting affordable housing development, new shelters and substance use care, the crisis remains untenable," Father Joe's officials said. "However, this moment is also an opportunity to explore new ideas and perspectives," they added. "Voters will now have a chance to hear directly from their prospective District 1 candidates on what they see as the biggest challenges we face in addressing homelessness and, most importantly, what they see as our county's path forward."

Aguirre said that while many attribute the problem exclusively to addiction or mental health problems, homelessness is tied closely to housing affordability. "We know that a large portion of our unsheltered residents are local," Aguirre explained.

Although there's nothing wrong with "these million-dollar homes with three bedrooms and a white picket fence," there should be more options for working families, be they low or middle income, she added.

While Imperial Beach is a small city, it has made big strides in housing, including a project that will house 50 seniors and feature wraparound services, Aguirre said.

"Those are the types of projects that we need more of, countywide, in addition to everything else that we're already doing," she added. Aguirre said more investment is needed in behavioral health resources, especially in South County, which has a limited number of facilities.

Aguirre said the county should expand partnerships with hospitals and existing providers to increase the number beds.

An improved "continuum of care" system is needed for those leaving a hospital emergency room for addiction or behavioral health treatment, she added.

McCann said the county "has to do a better job at taking a leadership role" in terms of work with nonprofits and identify a homeless person's needs "and find the most impactful place for them to be able to get help."

"Homelessness is not a one size fits all," said McCann, who cited mental illness, financial or family difficulties or substance abuse -- along with a combination of those social problems -- as factors.

He said people "can't just stay in public spaces," but instead should have incentives to stop doing drugs, as one example.

"I don't want to help somebody just get a voucher, and stay in motel for a weekend and they're back on the streets," McCann said.

"We need to be able to find long-term solutions," he said, adding the county should leverage the hundreds of millions of dollars it has received.

McCann said Chula Vista put together a comprehensive strategy to get people off the streets, and offer shelter and wraparound services. He cited the "tiny homes" project as one shelter option.

Deacon said he appreciated the conversation with both candidates.

"Solving homelessness in our region requires visionary leadership that not only understands how complex homelessness can be, but is also steadfast and laser focused on removing the barriers that keep people from being able to stay housed or thrive," Vargas added.

— City News Service