Alternative housing proposal in East County community shot down

SAN DIEGO — A controversial proposal to buy a multi-million greenback property to shelter the homeless brought on a heated debate at Tuesday evening’s La Mesa Metropolis Council assembly.

The ability proposal is a 16-acre website for greater than $5.4 million in rural Campo. Some say it may shelter East County’s rising homeless inhabitants, however many weren’t on board.

“I see an issue that’s getting worse and I see an issue that’s getting worse in each metropolis,” La Mesa Metropolis Councilmember Laura Lothian mentioned.

Lothian proposed directing employees to analysis funding choices and its viability as housing for the homeless.

“If we’re severe concerning the metropolis of La Mesa being house to a rising homeless inhabitants and rising homeless encampments and we need to assist give numerous homeless individuals shelter, meals and assist, we should always think about an alternative choice to constructing shelters and housing in excessive density and costly cities and seems to be unaffordable,” Lothian mentioned.

Callers voiced their opposition to the proposal bringing their issues for the Campo group.

“I moved out of El Cajon to get away from all that and I don’t need it moved out to the agricultural space,” one caller mentioned.

“You’re taking the issue, that downside that’s occurring in La Mesa and Spring Valley and Santee and El Cajon, and also you’re simply transferring it out to the center of nowhere,” one other caller mentioned. 

“Plus the substance abuse, the crime, and every part else that goes together with it and with out the assets right here, it’s a horrible concept,” one other caller added.

Different metropolis council members have been so towards the proposal, they didn’t even second Lothian’s movement. 

This comes as different cities like El Cajon are fed up with encampments plaguing East County. However others say this facility shouldn’t be the answer.

“You’re relocating, which as we mentioned earlier shouldn’t be fixing the issue. You’re simply transferring one downside from one space to a different, which is basically what you are trying to do,” one other caller mentioned.

Lothian’s proposal was closed as a result of it acquired no second.