Latest news with #MonicaMontgomerySteppe
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County to use $4M for tiny cabins, housing vouchers after RV project halted
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Board of Supervisors has voted to divert more than $4 million in unspent funds from a paused project to create a RV parking lot in Lakeside towards other county homelessness initiatives, including a project to build dozens of tiny cabins in Lemon Grove. Known as the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins, the project has been a point of contention for Lemon Grove residents since it was offered as an alternative to a similar proposal in Spring Valley that was abruptly nixed by the county amid community backlash. The county pressed ahead with the new site, a Caltrans property near Troy Street and Sweetwater Road, giving it the green light last year despite similar pushback from Lemon Grove residents given its proximity to several schools. Homelessness down 7% in San Diego County, point-in-time count finds On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted to move $3.5 million of the roughly $4.4 million in unused funds allocated to the now-discontinued Willow RV Senior and Family Parking project in Lakeside to support the first year of the cabin's operations. The Willow RV parking project had been halted in August of last year — a mere five months after it was approved by the Board of Supervisors — 'pending further view' by officials of a third-party report on the effectiveness of the county's provision of homeless services. The remaining $868,568 allocated to the RV parking lot project will be moved to the county's Regional Homeless Assistance Program (RHAP), which hands out vouchers to unsheltered individuals for shelter at certain motels while providing other supportive services. 'These reallocated funds will go directly to programs that can make an immediate difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness,' Supervisor Joel Anderson, who sponsored Tuesday's action alongside Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, said in a statement. 'We are turning an unused investment into real, meaningful support.' The initial 150-bed cabin project in Spring Valley was approved alongside the Willow RV parking lot early last year as key projects under the county's 'Compassionate Emergency Solutions and Pathway to Housing Plan.' The plan, implemented in 2022, intended to add new options to the county's shelter portfolio that differ from the traditional congregate settings, akin to the city of San Diego's safe parking and sleeping sites. To this end, the county began pursing the original Spring Valley tiny home project, receiving state backing in the form of a $10 million grant for construction and operation on top of 150 cabins at no cost. When the project was pulled, this support was rescinded. Over 41k notices sent out for unpaid property taxes in San Diego County Supervisor Montgomery Steppe pitched the Lemon Grove site as another avenue to continue with the project as a last ditch resort to keep the help from being clawed back. However, the plot's size was not able to accommodate its original 150-bed capacity. The project was then revamped, reducing its size to about 60 to 70 cabins with a maximum capacity of about 140 people. County officials added it also will be focused on serving veterans, seniors and adults. The entire tiny home project is expected to cost about $11 million to build and $3 million annually to operate with the on-site services. Construction is expected to begin this summer with the goal of bringing it online by 2026. According to the county, the construction costs are being covered by left over funds from COVID-19 assistance under the American Rescue Plan Act. Meanwhile, long-term operation costs are expected to be supported with RHAP funding. 'The Troy Street project and RHAP are examples of how the County is stepping up to provide both shelter and services effectively, and ultimately, a pathway to stable housing,' Montgomery Steppe said in a statement. 'These projects are going to provide positive intervention for our most vulnerable residents, and I'm proud to be part of that work.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Blue state county faces backlash after failed vote to scrap 'super sanctuary' policy: 'Fringe Democrats'
San Diego County's "super sanctuary" policy will remain in place for now following a failed vote to scrap it from Republican county officials. "The Biden Administration forced San Diego County onto the front lines of its relentless border crisis and now fringe Democrats in the County are trying to do the same," Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The people in my district want no part of policies that have contradicted our laws, blocked law enforcement, and gotten innocent Americans killed. Mark these words: Sanctuary policies are going away," Issa, whose district includes part of San Diego County, continued. The county's policy further constrains the ability of authorities in San Diego, a border county, to comply with federal law enforcement when it comes to turning over illegal immigrants, and opponents believe the policy opens the door to the county protecting those suspected of serious crimes. Ice, Dea Arrest Criminal Illegal Aliens On Idyllic New England Island "This is deeply disappointing," Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond said in a statement. "This was not about politics. This was about ensuring that criminals—rapists, child abusers, burglars, and violent offenders—are removed from our communities. Instead, fear and misinformation won the day, leaving law-abiding residents at greater risk." Read On The Fox News App Although Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson voted to get rid of the policy that was put in place by the board's Democratic majority in December, Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe argued that repealing it would then give a role outside the scope of the county's purview. "Even in the very wording of policy L-2, it doesn't protect criminals. What it was about is ensuring that this county stays in its lane and protects our region and that the federal government stays in its lane," Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said during the meeting before voting "no." Her Democratic colleague, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, abstained. Venezuelan Gangs Are Far From A 'Fake' Problem, Colorado Da Says: 'Giant Issue' The move comes as immigration and border policies changes have had a sweeping impact, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to conduct raids around the country and border crossings have plummeted. In addition, Trump border czar Tom Homan has been a vocal opponent of governments with sanctuary city policies. The Jewish Family Service of San Diego's migrant center shut its doors last month as the number of migrants arriving in the area took a massive tumble. "This failure also makes it harder and more dangerous for federal immigration authorities to do their job. It is far safer and less invasive for ICE to detain criminals while they are still in jail — rather than forcing federal agents to enter our communities, neighborhoods, and workplaces to make arrests," Desmond continued. Click To Get The Fox News App There is currently one vacancy on the board left open by former Chair Nora Vargas, who exited her position just weeks after putting forth the policy, according to article source: Blue state county faces backlash after failed vote to scrap 'super sanctuary' policy: 'Fringe Democrats'
Fox News
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Blue state county faces backlash after failed vote to scrap 'super sanctuary' policy: 'Fringe Democrats'
San Diego County's "super sanctuary" policy will remain in place for now following a failed vote to scrap it from Republican county officials. "The Biden Administration forced San Diego County onto the front lines of its relentless border crisis and now fringe Democrats in the County are trying to do the same," Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The people in my district want no part of policies that have contradicted our laws, blocked law enforcement, and gotten innocent Americans killed. Mark these words: Sanctuary policies are going away," Issa, whose district includes part of San Diego County, continued. The county's policy further constrains the ability of authorities in San Diego, a border county, to comply with federal law enforcement when it comes to turning over illegal immigrants, and opponents believe the policy opens the door to the county protecting those suspected of serious crimes. "This is deeply disappointing," Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond said in a statement. "This was not about politics. This was about ensuring that criminals—rapists, child abusers, burglars, and violent offenders—are removed from our communities. Instead, fear and misinformation won the day, leaving law-abiding residents at greater risk." Although Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson voted to get rid of the policy that was put in place by the board's Democratic majority in December, Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe argued that repealing it would then give a role outside the scope of the county's purview. "Even in the very wording of policy L-2, it doesn't protect criminals. What it was about is ensuring that this county stays in its lane and protects our region and that the federal government stays in its lane," Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said during the meeting before voting "no." Her Democratic colleague, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, abstained. The move comes as immigration and border policies changes have had a sweeping impact, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to conduct raids around the country and border crossings have plummeted. In addition, Trump border czar Tom Homan has been a vocal opponent of governments with sanctuary city policies. The Jewish Family Service of San Diego's migrant center shut its doors last month as the number of migrants arriving in the area took a massive tumble. "This failure also makes it harder and more dangerous for federal immigration authorities to do their job. It is far safer and less invasive for ICE to detain criminals while they are still in jail — rather than forcing federal agents to enter our communities, neighborhoods, and workplaces to make arrests," Desmond continued. There is currently one vacancy on the board left open by former Chair Nora Vargas, who exited her position just weeks after putting forth the policy, according to KPBS.
