2nd Annual Ending Homelessness Summit Highlights Need for Greater Accountability
SAN DIEGO – State and local elected officials gathered with leading experts on homelessness on Thursday at UC San Diego for Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s 2nd Annual Ending Homelessness Summit to consider how to improve government response to a problem that only seems to worsen year to year.
The event, which was attended by more than 150 people and live streamed on Sen. Blakespear’s website, included three separate panel discussions, audience polls, questions and answers with panelists, and a chance to submit bill ideas to Sen. Blakespear’s office. A recording of the summit can be watched here.
“My takeaway today is we have to take our efforts to address homelessness to the next level,” said Blakespear, D-Encinitas. “Yes, there is much good work being done, but as homelessness grows every month, we need to redouble our efforts. Most of all, we need to track the effectiveness of our efforts and make sure we are spending wisely.”
Panelists included Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
“Addressing California’s housing and homelessness crisis is at the top of my mind as the Chair of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee," Assemblymember Ward said. “Homelessness is, first and foremost, a housing problem. Housing First strategies have time and again been proven to effectively address the homelessness crisis. Ensuring that our federal, state, regional, and local partners are all working collaboratively toward the same goal is of the utmost importance. I want to thank Senator Blakespear for bringing our local partners together to discuss this issue, and for her commitment to responding to the homelessness crisis in the State Legislature.”
"Homelessness is California's most pressing challenge," said Mayor Gloria. "I am grateful to Senator Blakespear for uniting state and local leaders who are tackling this crisis head-on, enabling us to continue developing and implementing effective solutions. I appreciate the opportunity to share how San Diego is pioneering innovative approaches to move our residents off the streets, connect them to shelter and care, and get them into permanent housing.”
Others participating in panels were:
- Dr. Luke Bergman, Director of Behavioral Health, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
- Kelly Bruno-Nelson, Executive Director, CalOptima, MediCal CalAIM
- Lisa Halverstadt, Senior Investigative Reporter, Voice of San Diego
- Lisa Jones, President and CEO, San Diego Housing Commission
- Tamera Kohler, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Task Force on Homelessness
- Dr. Jennifer Nations, Managing Director and Assistant Project Scientist, UC San Diego Homelessness Hub/UC San Diego Urban Studies and Planning
- Omar Passons, Deputy City Manager, City of San Jose
- Glenn Tsang, Policy Advisor on Housing and Homelessness, California Department of Health Care Services
To see what Sen. Blakespear is doing about homelessness, visit her Addressing Homelessness web page or read her newsletters.
Elected in 2022, Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.