That was hammered home again this week in a sweeping report on homelessness in California by UC San Francisco. Nobody disputes substance abuse and mental illness are factors in homelessness that need to be addressed.īut studies have concluded it’s mostly an economic and housing issue. Many critics of current government efforts contend homelessness primarily results from behavioral problems. That goes to the heart of the dispute over homelessness. “We are facing an economic squeeze and we just don’t have the infrastructure to address that,” Mitchell said in the interview. (In some cases, an available bed might not be appropriate for a person requesting one - such as a top bunk for older residents or someone with a physical disability.) The number of beds available each morning range from 15 to 45, but they are usually taken within one or two hours, according to the report, which was requested by commission Vice Chair Ryan Clumpner. Housing Commission staff last week reported that city shelters were at 97 percent occupancy. Gloria has backed an enforcement measure that could result in the ticketing or arrest of homeless people who do not accept a shelter bed.īut many people seeking shelter space are turned away because beds aren’t available, according to Gary Warth of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Increasingly, people are noting that some homeless residents have turned down services, including shelter beds, as Mayor Todd Gloria, a Democrat, mentioned last week during a City Council meeting. That’s ironic because the largest city in Texas, Houston, has relied on a Housing First policy for years and has been lauded for significantly reducing its homeless population. The Cicero Institute, a Texas policy group, is promoting model state legislation that bars Housing First programs from receiving state funds, according to The New York Times. With homelessness growing in California and elsewhere, Republicans are waging a nationwide campaign to scuttle Housing First policies, contending it’s a failed approach. To leave them on the street, that’s inhumane.” “To help with a drug or alcohol problem, you have to put them in a stable situation where they can be cared for,” he said in the interview. Mitchell bristles at the idea that people shouldn’t be given shelter if they don’t get substance abuse or mental health treatment first. Treatment options are quickly offered and encouraged for people who may need them, but they aren’t mandatory. That’s not the case under the “Housing First” policy, which is the approach largely followed by local, state and federal government. That comment and others like it give the impression there’s no treatment involved in the current process of housing homeless people. “If you had a loved one or family member that needed drug treatment or needed mental health treatment, would you send them to a facility that did not require programs or treatment? That’s exactly what the government’s doing,” Desmond said at a recent news conference. Among them are Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, county Supervisor Jim Desmond and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells. In particular, Republicans elected officials have pushed to prioritize treatment for substance abuse and mental health for homeless people before housing, and suggested there are more shelter beds available than data suggests. However, in recent months some public officials, leaders of nonprofit shelters and formerly homeless people have criticized how the city of San Diego has been dealing with the homeless population. Mitchell did not name names during his meeting comments and declined to identify specific individuals during our interview. Mitchell, who also is senior vice president at San Diego Gas & Electric, acknowledged many people are working hard to address homelessness and there are many San Diegans who have empathy for people living on the street.īut he said the debate over how to combat homelessness has become heavily politicized, which he said wasn’t the case during efforts to feed and otherwise help those who suffered during the recession. I have witnessed misinformation around this topic.” It’s harder watching people try and divide this community around this - such an important topic. Today, he said at the meeting, “It’s hard driving down the street seeing people suffering, but it’s harder witnessing people making disingenuous statements.
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