County supervisor candidates Paloma Aguirre and John McCann joined Father Joe’s Villages for a virtual “fireside chat” this week, offering suggestions on tackling the homeless crisis.
Aguirre and McCann participated in the 38-minute forum with Deacon Jim Vargas on YouTube.
The South Bay mayors – Aguirre of Imperial Beach and McCann of Chula Vista – are seeking the vacant District 1 seat on the Board of Supervisors, with the runoff in the special election set for July 1. Voters have been able to mail their ballots or leave them in a Registrar of Voters drop box since the week of June 2.
According to a news release from Father Joe’s Villages, which provides a range of services for people who lack shelter, the election is “an opportunity to explore new ideas and perspectives.”
“Voters will now have a chance to hear directly from their prospective District 1 candidates on what they see as the biggest challenges we face in addressing homelessness and, most importantly, what they see as our county’s path forward,” the nonprofit said.
The candidates agreed at the Wednesday forum that the homeless crisis is not just caused by addiction or mental health issues, but they diverged there.
Aguirre said that homelessness also is tied closely to housing affordability. “We know that a large portion of our unsheltered residents are local,” she explained.
Although there’s nothing wrong with “these million-dollar homes with three bedrooms and a white picket fence,” there should be more options for working families, be they low or middle income, she added.
McCann also said “homelessness is not a one size fits all,” citing mental illness, financial or family difficulties or substance abuse – or a combination – as factors.
He said people “can’t just stay in public spaces,” but instead should have incentives to stop doing drugs, as one example.
“I don’t want to help somebody just get a voucher and stay in motel for a weekend and they’re back on the streets,” McCann said.
While Imperial Beach is a small city, it has made strides in housing, Aguirre said, including adding a project that will offer 50 seniors homes while featuring wraparound services.
“Those are the types of projects that we need more of countywide, in addition to everything else that we’re already doing,” she added.
Aguirre also said more investment is needed in behavioral health resources, especially in South County, which has a limited number of facilities. An improved “continuum of care” system is needed for those leaving a hospital emergency room for addiction or behavioral health treatment, she added.
McCann said the county “has to do a better job at taking a leadership role” in terms of work with nonprofits and identifying a homeless person’s needs. The agency also must locate “the most impactful place for them to be able to get help” while leveraging the hundreds of millions of dollars it has received to combat homelessness.
McCann said Chula Vista put together a comprehensive strategy to get people off the streets, with shelter and wraparound services. He cited a “tiny homes” project as one shelter option.
Deacon said he appreciated the conversation with both candidates.
“Solving homelessness in our region requires visionary leadership that not only understands how complex homelessness can be, but is also steadfast and laser focused on removing the barriers that keep people from being able to stay housed or thrive,” Vargas added.
Aguirre and McCann also shared their views during a Tuesday night debate on ABC10, covering topics ranging from the county budget to immigration raids.
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