Here’s a thought about one of the arguments used to defend the council majority’s rejection of nearly $4 million in encampment funding.
Supporters of the council majority’s decision repeatedly claim that accepting money for outreach, shelter and housing assistance would “attract” more unhoused people to Encinitas.
So let’s follow that logic. Nearby communities accepted this funding. If services and grant dollars really cause people to migrate, shouldn’t Encinitas now see fewer unsheltered residents as people relocate to cities offering more assistance?
Let’s keep an eye on the numbers and see whether that actually happens.
Do you believe homelessness services attract people to a community, or help communities address the people who are already there? What evidence supports your view?
We won’t hold our breath waiting for the “magnet” theory to prove itself.