Whenever I meet with groups or people in our community, the most frequently asked question I receive is, 'What is being done about homelessness?'
Pollsters at UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies asked nearly 8,500 Californian voters, including 872 San Diegans, to choose two leading concerns they would like state leaders to address. The top two statewide concerns were:
1. Housing Affordability
2. Homelessness
It's a complicated issue that isn't helped by government bureaucracy as law enforcement cannot take someone off the street and provide them help if they refuse.
Check out my video below explaining our homeless predicament and what we are doing to alleviate the problem.
Just a few years ago, we didn't have a place for law enforcement or family members to take someone who was suffering from a mental health crisis. So, we've opened up three places in North County for anyone suffering from a mental health crisis to receive treatment.
These are known as Crisis Stabilization Units and it's basically a mental health emergency room.
Three North County Locations:
Escondido: 2185 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, CA 92029Vista: 524 W. Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083
Oceanside: 1701 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92058
There are only five in San Diego County and thankfully three of them are in North County. Once at a Crisis Stabilization Unit, individuals can be helped with a variety of issues, including psychiatric help, medication, clothes, food, and hopefully then put into housing.
We've also made major strides in North County by providing affordable housing units. Over 500 units in the past few years have been built. We are currently looking at affordable housing for seniors in Escondido at the old hospital site. Seniors on fixed incomes are suffering dearly due to inflation and the high cost of living. We want to make sure they don't end up on the streets.
A lot is being done when it comes to homelessness, even though changes may not be happening overnight. There are many success stories out there and for those who want help, there are resources out there!