News Summary
A recent poll shows that 80% of San Diego County respondents believe more action is necessary to combat the growing homelessness crisis. Stories like that of Treasure Colladay highlight the struggles many face, as families are unable to find stable housing amidst soaring costs. With over 10,600 individuals experiencing homelessness in the area, local leaders emphasize the need for affordable housing solutions while managing budget constraints. The issue reveals broader trends in California as the state grapples with housing shortages and rising homelessness rates.
San Diego, California – A recent poll reveals that 80% of respondents believe San Diego County needs to take more action to address the growing homelessness crisis. The survey indicates a heightened concern among residents regarding the issues surrounding homelessness, particularly as it affects families and individuals across the region.
Among the harrowing stories that illustrate this crisis is that of Treasure Colladay, a 29-year-old employed hotel worker in La Jolla, who along with her 69-year-old mother, Kaitlan, has been homeless since early June. The duo has faced unrelenting challenges, including the loss of their home in Washington state after their landlord decided to remodel the property. Seeking relief from a harsher climate, they relocated to San Diego, primarily for its favorable weather, which helps manage Treasure’s psoriasis and to be closer to family.
However, their move has not alleviated their struggles. They have been forced to spend nights sleeping in their small red Mustang and frequently park at Mission Bay. Despite their advantage of having some income—combining Kaitlan’s Social Security benefits and Treasure’s job—they remain trapped by the high costs of housing in San Diego. They face significant barriers, including expensive rental security deposits, poor credit scores, and a lack of savings.
Efforts to find suitable and stable housing have proven complicated. Short-term motel stays also do not provide a permanent solution due to policies that require them to vacate every 28 days, creating an additional hurdle to secure consistent shelter. Legal recommendations indicate that such policies might be illegal according to California law, yet accommodating those without permanent housing remains a challenge.
The issues facing the Colladays mirror broader trends observed in San Diego, where over 10,600 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness. Despite a workforce of employed individuals—research indicates that nearly 20% of homeless residents lost their housing in Los Angeles County while employed—many struggle to bridge the gap between earning a living and affording housing. This is evident in studies showing that approximately 40% of the homeless population nationally hold some form of employment.
San Diego’s housing market reflects an acute shortage of affordable options. Currently, there are only about 8,100 interim housing beds available for a homeless population exceeding 10,600. The public discourse around the homelessness crisis includes deep concerns about housing affordability, with recent polls revealing housing as the leading issue for residents of San Diego County. Alongside this, residents expressed significant worry about illegal immigration, which was noted by 35% of poll respondents.
Leadership at PATH San Diego emphasizes that the issue of homelessness is a product of insufficient affordable housing rather than solely individual choices. Meanwhile, as local leaders and community planners grapple with budget constraints, the challenge remains to open new shelters while protecting existing mental health services from potential cuts.
Adding complexity to the situation is Kaitlan Colladay’s background; she holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions yet finds it difficult to secure employment that matches her qualifications. The family’s narrative is indicative of a hard-to-track population that does not seem to fit typical stereotypes of homelessness, highlighting the diverse and complex realities faced by many individuals and families in San Diego.
The unfolding crisis reflects a larger statewide issue as California continues to struggle with housing shortages and increasing rates of homelessness. Community support measures and discussions around policy adjustments are imperative to meet the needs of those like the Colladays and the thousands of others facing similar struggles in an ever-challenging housing market.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego’s Invisible Homeless
- 10 News: Poll Shows Cost of Living and Homelessness Issues
- Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego County Explores Pilot Program for Homeless Veterans
- Axios: Homelessness Outpacing Shelter Supply
- NBC San Diego: Homelessness Down Across San Diego County
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Google Search: Homelessness in San Diego
- Google Scholar: Homelessness Solutions
- Google News: San Diego Homelessness
