Opinion: I’m a Candidate for Mayor, and Here’s My Strategy on Homelessness
As a U.S. Marine officer with experience in humanitarian missions, I have a realistic and effective strategy to combat homelessness in San Diego.
Instead of focusing only on temporary shelters, my plan emphasizes wrap-around and transitional services crucial for long-term success. By investing in permanent supportive and affordable housing, we can cut taxpayer costs significantly while providing a stable environment for our homeless neighbors to access services, find jobs and, once again, become contributing members of our community
The four tenets of my immediate homelessness strategy are:
3. I will identify and select appropriate locations to provide specific services such that each shelter allocated will address the unique needs of each population, including mental illness, substance abuse, families, LGBTQ+, youth, seniors, etc. We will always listen to — and consult with — community residents and business owners before finalizing locations for any shelter and resource centers.
Homelessness is not just a crisis for those living on the streets, it affects all members of our community. While the above shelter strategy is an immediate necessity, by implementing proactive prevention measures to address homelessness, such as diversion and shallow subsidy programs, and prioritizing permanent supportive and affordable housing, we will create a safer, more compassionate San Diego for everyone.
In the face of challenges, I offer not just promises, but concrete solutions. Together, we will transform the narrative on homelessness in San Diego and build a city where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
