Morning Report: Cities Weigh Homelessness Response

By Voice of San Diego

October 23, 2023

For decades, cities in North County have opted for a regional response to the homelessness crisis. The idea is that if they collectively contribute funding to the few homeless shelters in that part of the region, they could all tap into those resources.

But now, because of mounting pressure over a worsening crisis, city leaders are being forced to either lean in or opt out of that approach, our Tigist Layne writes.

Just last month, the city of Escondido decided to part ways with the network, also known as the Alliance for Regional Solutions. Escondido voted to pull the $50,000 it previously contributed to a homeless shelter in the city because officials were concerned that only 60 percent of clients became homeless in Escondido.

Recently, Vista opted to reimburse shelters based on the number of Vista homeless residents who get a bed. The city previously contributed $200,000 upfront.

So, what does this mean for North County’s regional response? Layne explains that some leaders are worried that if more cities leave, it could mean a drastic reduction in services for North County’s homeless population.

Read the full story here.

San Diego’s second safe sleeping site is now open.

City officials provided a tour Friday of the site located on the edge of Balboa Park, also known as the O Lot. The site’s first residents were set to move in on Saturday, officials said.

Voice intern Hannah Ramirez reports that 21 tents of the 400 planned were ready last week. And she found that there are more than 120 people already on a waitlist.

Read more here.

From the governor to some of the biggest cities are arguing that one court case is keeping them from cleaning up homeless encampments.

Background: A 2018 ruling in Martin v. the City of Boise prohibited cities from enforcing anti-camping provisions on unhoused individuals if no suitable shelter was available for them. Now, a court has ruled that the city of Grants Pass could not cite a homeless resident for illegal camping if there isn’t suitable shelter for them.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, the city of San Diego and a bevy of other elected leaders want the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in.

In the latest Politics Report, Scott Lewis breaks down their arguments and why everyone says they want clarification.

Read the Politics Report here.

VOSD Podcast: For our latest episode, our hosts chat about the three San Diego Police officers running for office. They also get into Coronado’s new housing plan and an update on the Barrio Logan Planning group’s meeting dilemma. Listen to the full episode here.

The Morning Report was written by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Hannah Ramirez.

Voice of San Diego is a nonprofit news organization supported by our members. We reveal why things are the way they are and expose facts that people in power might not want out there and explain complex local public policy issues so you can be engaged and make good decisions. Sign up for our newsletters at voiceofsandiego.org/newsletters/.