SAN DIEGO DECLARES HOMELESSNESS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. ‘TODAY, OUR COUNTY TAKES A SIGNIFICANT STEP'

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously declared homelessness a public health crisis Tuesday, a move the board said will create a more unified, regional approach to the problem.

In another unanimous vote, supervisors also approved a $3 million pilot program to provide $500 a month to 220 seniors to help them avoid homelessness over 18 months.

“A public health approach to homelessness will help align efforts, share resources, and more purposefully help address the root causes of housing instability and health on a large scale with a humane response,” said Vice Chair Nora Vargas, who with Chairman Nathan Fletcher introduced the policy.

“Today, our county takes a significant step, by serving as a regional convener, bringing cities, business organizations and service providers together in a collaborative effort to develop innovative, sustainable, long-term solutions to prevent and end homelessness.”

While the declaration itself does not create new programs or generate new funding, supervisors said it would elevate homelessness as a regional issue and call attention to the health aspects of the problem.

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