San Diego County is grappling with a significant homelessness crisis, with more than 9,000 residents experiencing homelessness on any given night, according to Father Joe’s Villages.
To address this urgent issue, county supervisor candidates Paloma Aguirre and John McCann participated in a recent virtual discussion hosted by Deacon Jim Vargas of Father Joe’s Villages.
The forum, lasting 38 minutes, aired on YouTube and offered a platform for the candidates to share their views on various strategies to tackle homelessness in the region.
Aguirre, currently the mayor of Imperial Beach, alongside McCann, mayor of Chula Vista, are competing for the District 1 seat left vacant following Nora Vargas’s announcement in December that she would not pursue a second term despite winning re-election in November.
Voters will cast their ballots in a special election scheduled for July 1.
In a Tuesday night debate broadcast on ABC10, Aguirre and McCann discussed various topics, from the county budget to immigration issues, highlighting their stances on the homelessness crisis as a focal point.
Father Joe’s Villages representatives remarked that while great strides have been made in securing funding for affordable housing and behavioral health resources, the homelessness crisis remains critical and in need of new ideas.
Aguirre emphasized the connection between homelessness and housing affordability, stating that many individuals experiencing homelessness are locals.
She pointed out the surplus of high-end homes while many working families struggle to find suitable living conditions.
Aguirre highlighted Imperial Beach’s successful housing project designed for seniors, which aims to provide not only shelter but also wraparound services.
She stressed that such initiatives need to be replicated across the county, along with enhanced investment in behavioral health services, particularly in South County, where facilities are limited.
In her view, an improved
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