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The growing homeless problem

THE ESCONDIDO ADVOCATE


The Escondido community has been my home for over 35 years, I have worked in our community for twenty-seven of those years. But, over the last ten years,  I have become increasingly deeply immersed in our community. It is my observation that the issues of our homeless citizens and those suffering with mental illness has expanded past the efforts our city is providing.

Our homeless residents are receiving food and clothing, but a growing problem is still present. The homeless need options for living that are safe and provide adequate shelter. The creek areas behind the 400 family apartment complex and the elderly home adjacent to the police station, as well as under the bridge in Harmony Grove do not constitute safe living arrangements. Not just is this inadequate for the homeless but it is unsafe for our entire community.  Job help and more affordable housing as well as mental health services are in desperate shortage; even Section 8 is difficult to obtain and afford in many cases.

The map shows the approximate location of creek areas where the homeless camp.

So where are my tax dollars really going? What is our Escondido mayor doing to organize remediation for this growing uncontrolled issue?  Interfaith is full. They are funded with grants, private money and donations but, they still do not have enough to help the ongoing escalation of needs in our community.

The homeless have been found vandalizing our business owners. Business owners and residents, who pay the city to keep the streets clean are forced to clean up trash, needles, waste and even remove people from their store front stoops.  I am asking our community to stop ignoring this issue and to come up with new and creative solutions that will make us all proud to call Escondido home. I am not just asking you, I too am researching solutions.  I encourage you to give more thought and commitment to this issue.

Together as a community we can work diligently to solve this ongoing problem. Please, if you know of ideas that have worked for other cities, or if you are an out of the box thinker and have new and workable ideas please email your ideas to Patti@PattiThompson.com. I want to hear from you!

If you would like to attend an Escondido City Council meeting, unless the council schedules otherwise or cancels a meeting, they convene regular meetings on the first four Wednesdays of every month at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway. Please attend to educate yourself and advocate for your community.

*Note: Opinions expressed by columnists and letter writers are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the newspaper.

One response to “The growing homeless problem”

  1. Kevin Allen Bosley says:

    Hello Patti,
    I am very interested in this issue… as I have just purchased a home at the end of Avenida Del Diablo! I have seen the homeless camps and feel that this situation is just unacceptable. I agree that it should start with finding a way to help those people.
    I look forward to hearing from you.
    Thank you,
    Kevin Bosley

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