As Republicans, it is disheartening to see the San Diego City Council, led by Democrats, vote unanimously to declare housing a “fundamental human right” without a concrete plan in place to address the growing homelessness crisis.
Mayor Gloria’s current approach of simply moving homeless encampments during daylight hours and fining the homeless is not a sustainable solution. It is a Band-Aid fix that does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness and only serves to criminalize those who are already struggling.
This resolution, while well-intentioned, is nothing more than lip service to the Democratic base. It sets a lofty goal without any real plan to achieve it. And in the meantime, it is hurting landlords and property owners who are already struggling to keep up with the demands of the housing market.
Furthermore, the resolution does not address the impact that homelessness has on law-abiding citizens. Homeless encampments are a public health hazard and can lead to increased crime in the area, yet the resolution does nothing to address this issue.
It is time for the City Council to take a more comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness. This should include addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as poverty and mental health issues, as well as providing support for landlords and property owners.
We call on Mayor Gloria and the City Council to put forward a concrete plan to address homelessness in San Diego, rather than simply paying lip service to a noble cause. It is time for real action and real solutions, not empty promises.
Photo by Adriana Heldiz
