News Summary
El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells has criticized the Regional Task Force on Homelessness for its annual Point-In-Time Count, calling the reported increase in homelessness ‘inflated’ and ‘inaccurate.’ The count showed a notable rise in unsheltered individuals, leading to concerns about skewed numbers due to inclusions of individuals outside city limits. Despite this increase, San Diego County as a whole reported a 7% decrease in homelessness. In response, initiatives like a tiny home village for women are being considered to provide more stable housing solutions.
El Cajon, California – Mayor Bill Wells has voiced strong criticism of the Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ annual Point-In-Time Count, labeling the reported increase in homelessness as “inflated” and “inaccurate.” The recent count showed that the number of unsheltered individuals in El Cajon rose from 283 to 344, a notable increase of 21.6% from the previous year.
Mayor Wells contends that the count included individuals living outside the city limits, skewing the numbers for El Cajon. He has also criticized the county’s hotel voucher program, claiming it contributes to these inflated statistics. The Point-In-Time Count, an annual assessment conducted in January, involved over 1,700 volunteers working to evaluate the homeless population in San Diego County.
Despite the sharp increase in El Cajon, the overall homeless population in San Diego County has seen a decrease of 7%, with the city of San Diego reporting a more significant 14% decline. The total number of homeless individuals in the county was reported at 9,905, down from 10,605 the previous year. This figure comprises 5,714 unsheltered individuals and 4,191 residing in shelters. Several cities, including Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, and La Mesa, also reported reductions in their homeless counts, with decreases ranging from 9% to 15%.
While the overall numbers are encouraging, the homeless senior population increased by 5%, with a large portion of the homeless demographic being seniors. Notably, the number of families living unsheltered saw a dramatic 72% decrease, while homelessness among veterans decreased by 25%.
In response to the pressing issue of homelessness, a tiny home village for women at Meridian Baptist Church has emerged as a successful initiative aimed at providing stable housing solutions. This village started as a pilot program in 2022 and consists of six tiny homes, each costing approximately $8,500. The project has received funding primarily through grants and donations.
Statistics indicate that 78% of the women who resided in the tiny home village have successfully transitioned into permanent housing. The support structure within the village includes job search resources, therapy options, and connections to permanent housing opportunities, creating a community for residents.
As awareness grows about the need for sustainable solutions to homelessness, advocacy is emerging for the replication of the tiny home model throughout San Diego County. To accommodate more women and children in need, the city council is considering expanding the tiny home village from six to ten homes. This initiative aims to provide stability and security for vulnerable populations, including children, which can have positive effects on their education and personal development.
The tiny homes are designed to resemble small houses equipped with electricity and porches, presenting a more welcoming alternative compared to conventional homeless solutions in the area. Through initiatives like the tiny home village, community leaders hope to address not only the immediate needs of the homeless population but also their long-term housing stability.
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Additional Resources
- Times of San Diego: Mayor Disputes Homelessness Spike
- Fox 5 San Diego: Tale of Two Cities
- 10 News: El Cajon Pastor’s Tiny Cabin Program
- San Diego Union Tribune: More Cabins for Homeless
- 10 News: El Cajon Church’s Tiny Cabins for Women
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Google Search: Homelessness Solutions
- Google Scholar: Tiny Homes for Homeless
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Google News: Homelessness Initiatives in San Diego
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
