The killing of a security guard at the Alpha Project homeless shelter a few days ago has made the issue of homelessness in San Diego an even bigger one than it already was.
And that means it is going to be something that the candidates for the San Diego mayor’s job are going to be asked about time and time again.
While the city has made progress on getting more people who are homeless off the streets and into the bridge shelters, there are still thousands of people who sleep on sidewalks, in parking lots and parks, and anywhere they can.
And those bridge shelters which are designed to be temporary shelter as those who are homeless get into permanent housing; it has been a challenge trying to get people out of the shelters and into a more permanent place to live.
And the cost of housing in San Diego is not going down, but up, with higher rents and a higher median price for homes.
Those who run the Alpha Project and Father Joe’s Villages and other homeless outreach programs are doing all they can every day to reduce homelessness.
But the problem is a big one and it will never be fully solved
But voters in San Diego are going to be deciding soon which of the candidates for Mayor have the ideas, the plans and the leadership qualities to tackle the biggest problem the city faces in 2020.
(Photo credit c.e. albert)