Without a doubt, homelessness has increased in Encinitas. Data released in May by San Diego’s Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) confirms that the homeless population in our city is up 74% in just two years. Only a small portion of those people are provided shelter or transitional housing – the rest wander our streets, sleeping in back alleys, parks, hidden encampments, or illegally parked vehicles.
Our experience in Encinitas contrasts sharply with that of neighboring cities. Together, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, and Escondido saw only a 13.4% increase. The most remarkable comparison is with Carlsbad, which saw a 20% decline.
What are they doing right, and what are we doing wrong in Encinitas?
The problem of homelessness is complex and difficult. As a member of the City Council I will advocate for a policy balance between our sense of compassion for the homeless and our duty to ensure safety and order for our local residents, avoiding practices which encourage the growth of the homeless population in Encinitas.
First steps…
I support sensible policy reforms….
- Enforce ‘quality of life’ laws already on the books: including the ordinances directly related to camping in city parks, sleeping in vehicles, and overnight parking in public lots.
- Move car campers along by escorting them to the homeless parking lot – or out of town. Current rules at the homeless lot forbid on-site registration, but the City could reverse this immediately for any vehicle escorted by a Sheriff’s deputy. This may require an additional deputy, for a short term.
- Increase our coordination with San Diego County Social Services, to enlist the expert support they provide, which we already pay for with our tax dollars.
- Take direct control of the Homeless Parking Lot and, as originally proposed, limit participation to individuals who have been recent residents of Encinitas. Also, consider relocation of the lot to a site away from children (more below).
- Focus city Housing Resources and staff on Encinitas residents experiencing housing uncertainty, with particular emphasis on the needs of seniors.
The North County Homeless Parking Lot
The steps taken to establish the North County Homeless Parking lot in Encinitas were wrought with questionable decisions creating an atmosphere of public suspicion and mistrust: the declaration of a ‘shelter crisis’, closed meetings, affected residents not being notified, and the very un-public decision to move the lot to the Community Center.
The Council repeated stated that the parking lot would not attract homeless people to Encinitas. Yet, it does appear that is exactly what’s happening as reported by the lot administrator, Jewish Family Services:
Only 25% of North County Homeless Parking Lot participants are from Encinitas.
The homeless parking lot program would be better served if it was run by the City, instead of a third party which encumbers us with a contractual agreement that can be difficult to make adjustments to. There are other advantages to a city-run and paid for homeless parking lot:
- We would be able to limit participants to those who can show a connection to Encinitas in a way pre-determined by a public process.
- We could drop the failed “housing first” policies dictated by the state grant that the current contractor must abide by.
- We could move the lot to a more agreeable location.
Julie’s 3-minute comments on moving the lot to the Community Center
