One of the things the large group of civic and business leaders are talking to federal lawmakers and agencies in Washington D.C. about this week is the issue of homelessness.
They should be talking about it, because the homeless problem in San Diego has never been worse. We all see signs of it every day.
Just take a trip downtown, to the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner or to Petco Park for a Padres game. Talk to people who live downtown or work downtown. Ask tourists who are visiting our city, America’s Finest we still like to call it.
The latest indication of how serious the problem of homelessness was the latest report from the San Diego Housing Commission, which showed occupancy rates for the city’s largest homeless shelters serving single adults are at near capacity.
Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, told the San Diego Union Tribune that while more affordable housing is needed to end homelessness, more shelters are needed now until those become available.
And while the city council may act soon to ban homeless encampments, they are not allowed to until more shelters are created, or a location is found for a safe sleeping area or other alternatives.
The solution to homelessness may not lie in the nation’s capital but it appears that finding an answer is becoming as elusive as being able to find a homeless shelter for all the homeless. A problem that is only going to get worse if no answers are found.
(Photo Getty Images)