Encinitas city leaders have chosen not to apply for a nearly $4 million state grant aimed at providing housing for homeless individuals. The grant, part of the Encampment Resolution Fund, prioritizes quickly moving people into permanent housing without conditions such as sobriety or program participation.

Concerns Over Housing First Model

Council members expressed concerns that the grant would come with strings attached and that it follows a model the city fundamentally disagrees with. Critics of the Housing First approach argue that it fails to address underlying issues such as substance abuse and mental illness.

A representative from the San Diego Rescue Mission encouraged city leaders to apply for the grant, stating that the organization has used the program before without issues. However, the majority of the City Council voted against applying for the grant, citing a lack of trust in the state’s housing department and the need for a more flexible approach.

Alternative Approaches

Encinitas has recently shifted its response to homelessness, implementing stricter and more enforceable rules, contracting with a new homeless outreach organization, and adding an enforcement element to its Homeless Action Plan. The city’s approach prioritizes addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as substance abuse and mental illness, before providing housing.

In contrast, neighboring cities Oceanside and Carlsbad have seen positive outcomes from their use of the state grant, with over 80 individuals permanently housed and a housing retention rate of over 90 percent. Oceanside has submitted a new application for the next round of grant funding, aiming to continue its successful approach.

Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.