The homeless, where should they go? If you were homeless, would you not want to live by the ocean? Should we all have access to public areas without discrimination? There are two sides to this question and both sides are equally passionate in their views. San Diego Homeless Awareness Day is Aug. 17, which brings the spotlight back on an issue that never ceases. Executive director of the La Jolla Village Merchants Association, Sheila S. Fortune, said she feels the homeless population in La Jolla has stayed the same since last year. She also noted the numerous ways La Jollans’ aid the homeless in La Jolla. “Our local community supports (the nonprofit program) So Others May Eat and an annual event So Fine on Kline all championed by Mary, Star of the Sea parish member Tresha Souza,” Fortune said. Indeed, Souza is a star advocate for the homeless; seemingly everyone in the community refers anything homeless-related to Souza. “I started So Others May Eat to show my children that not everyone lives (comfortably) like us,” Souza said. “Each homeless person is someone’s child. Even if we’re there to just hear their story, that helps.” Souza founded the So Others May Eat program in 2008 and has served thousands upon thousands of hot meals, in addition to donating pantry items from Mary, Star of the Sea Church. However, a fire in the church hall temporarily moved their efforts to Mariner’s Point where they are currently serving. But in September, the program will start up at the church again. Souza doesn’t think there are that many homeless in La Jolla, especially in comparison to the population found in other neighborhoods in San Diego. Additionally, she said she doesn’t feel her program attracts more homeless people to remain on the streets of La Jolla after the meals are served. Souza said helping the homeless has been a huge blessing in her life and that of her four children. She noted that her children are far better, more compassionate people because of their exposure to the plight of other people. She also said she feels there is a misconception of many homeless people. Each individual has their own story, but they shouldn’t be put into one group. “People look at the homeless and put stereotypes on them … they say they’re lazy, but there are wealthy people who are lazy too.” Mike Ramono has been homeless for two years. He said he lives in a secret shack around the Ocean Beach area. “It’s never easy to know if my shack will be safe at night, or if someone has taken my stuff. But, we (the homeless community) pretty much all know where to go to have a warm meal and get some friendly smiles.” He noted that the homeless tend to all be aware of the spots to eat and obtain snacks throughout the coastal communities of La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. “In general, people aren’t that rude to us in La Jolla, they pretty much look the other way. Sometimes people give us money, other times they act like we don’t exist. I’m used to it by now. My plan is to head back to Vegas, but it’s so hot there in the summer,” Ramono said. He was part of the cleaning crew at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for five years until he was “fired because they found out I had lost my apartment and said I had to have a permanent address to work there.” This situation is a common theme among the homeless. Most businesses won’t hire someone unless they can prove they have a permanent home address. Ramono explained this was the reason so many homeless people rely on having friends and family who will allow them to collect their mail at their address. “It’s a nightmare, you’re struggling to find a shower (or eat) and just get through the day, and then you can’t get a job because they know you’re not living anywhere … (how can we) try to get a place to live if we aren’t allowed to work without already having a home?” It’s a Catch-22 many homeless deal with every single day. However, Fortune said that in La Jolla, sometimes the more “known” homeless people are given a chance to work for locals. “Most of our homeless are ‘regulars’ and the locals know them; many feed them and offer employment if that is appropriate. I feel that our local homeless have been provided opportunities to get off the streets and this is their chosen lifestyle that we must respect,” Fortune said.
Joe LaCava, a Bird Rock resident and former chair of the La Jolla Community Planning Association, said that “there are many reasons that individuals and families find themselves homeless. We must work collaboratively to find permanent housing through regional service providers. The mayor recently announced (that the) goal of housing homeless veterans must be extended to all homeless.” LaCava recognizes the immense good serving meals and providing clothing offers the homeless. “Who can argue with a good soul that provides a temporary respite or a warm meal? But those are stop-gap measures, we must focus on permanent housing. Affordable homes (subsidized housing for families with low and very low income) is part of the larger housing needs of our city. “However, for the homeless it must be more finely targeted to meet their unique needs. We need to offer them the stability of permanent housing combined with support services. With housing stability comes the opportunity for individuals and families to address health issues, have regular meals, and, find employment — all necessary to allow them to become self-sustaining.”
Indeed, how to make the homeless become stable is a common theme. One that the San Diego Interfaith Housing Foundation (SDIHF) is trying to solve. The foundation offers two weeks of shelter in rotating churches for approximately nine weeks throughout San Diego. The program aims to allow low-income folks a safe place to live, shower facilities and hot meals while they try to secure permanent housing. This program is a life-line for many folks who are trying to transition back into mainstream life and find a permanent home. Something that is incredibly difficult to achieve while living on the streets. All Hallows Catholic Church, La Jolla Lutheran Church, La Jolla Presbyterian, St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal church and La Jolla United Methodist Church have all been actively involved in this program. There are many programs and well-intentioned people who put their heart into helping the homeless, so why does it seem so little progress is reported? LaCava has an idea. “The City of San Diego struggles to address the homeless within our city because it has not been a priority. “There have been targeted efforts that should be applauded, but we as San Diegans have not committed to a sustained effort to address the several thousand that are homeless. The regular sweeps currently happening in downtown San Diego is the wrong approach.”
Romano agrees with LaCava. “If people don’t want us to hang out at the park, or the beach, or the boardwalk or pretty much anywhere, but they also don’t want to offer affordable housing, then, tell me, where are we supposed to go? The trash bin? Would that be acceptable? Probably.”