San Diego ignored law on documenting shelter conditions
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The site of a proposed homeless shelter in Middletown. Photo: Andy Keatts/Axios
San Diego, along with most of California, is ignoring a recent state law meant to make sure homeless shelters are clean and safe, per a new CalMatters investigation.
Why it matters: Reports of unsafe shelters — from rodent infestations, flood risks, lack of heating and cooling, sewage problems and risk of sexual harassment — led state lawmakers in 2021 to create a new system to respond to complaints with inspections and file annual reports on shelter conditions.
Driving the news: A CalMatters investigation this week found that almost the entire state, including both the city and county of San Diego, have shunned those requirements.
- Just five of the state's 58 counties filed annual shelter reports, including Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Only four of the 478 California cities filed reports — and none are in San Diego County.
- Spokespeople for the city and the county did not respond to requests from Axios as to why they did not submit reports.
What they're saying: Assembly member Sharon Quirk-Silva, the law's author, told CalMatters she was shocked to learn of the widespread apathy from cities and counties, and will consider adding teeth to the law based on the response.
- "We are asking for the basics here," she said.
Zoom in: Substandard shelter conditions are not hypothetical in San Diego.
- Last year, the city's auditor found shelters and a safe parking site operated by the city were in disrepair, and that hazardous conditions were reported repeatedly without getting fixed.
- "The city lacks documented processes for repairs at city-owned or leased homelessness facilities, causing persistent unsafe and unsanitary conditions at some locations," the auditor's report concluded.
- Just last week, the San Diego Housing Commission determined Father Joe's Villages, one of the city's largest providers, has adequately resolved concerns the commission flagged a year earlier, including ongoing maintenance problems, per Voice of San Diego.
- Multiple homeless people told CalMatters the city's safe camping sites aren't safe at all.
Between the lines: City officials are poised to decide Monday whether to greenlight creating a new 1,000-bed shelter in Middletown.
- Homeless-service providers have said it's difficult to make such a large shelter safe and secure.
What's next: Quirk-Silva, whose district overlaps Orange and Los Angeles counties, two of the areas that filed reports, told CalMatters she'll meet with state housing officials and consider new legislation to punish cities that don't file reports.