While San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is seeking approval from the city council for a 1,000-bed mega shelter, mayoral candidate Larry Turner has a new proposal, focused on veterans, for a different site Gloria wants to use as a safe parking spot for homeless individuals.
Turner referred to Gloria’s mega shelter proposal with a baseball metaphor during a July 24 press conference outside City Hall.
“It’s better to hit singles and doubles and not just go for home runs in the last inning,” Turner said. “That’s what we’re seeing in politics right now.”
Mayor Gloria’s “home run” proposal for the mega shelter has drawn detractors regarding the lease, other legal issues and the size and location of the Kettner and Vine site. Turner believes he’s suggesting a more practical swing with the H Barracks site near Point Loma.
Turner is proposing a 350-bed shelter exclusively for veterans who have been vetted for the site. Rather than using giant sprung tents, his idea calls for using tiny homes that might sleep two to a home.
The latest numbers from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness estimate nearly 1,000 veterans are experience homelessness in the San Diego area.
Several speakers at the press conference lent their support to the Turner proposal, including: retired Navy Admiral Mark Bipes, retired combat veteran Marine Sergeant Major Terry Hoskins, Army veteran Rene Contreras (who has overcome homelessness) and Dr. Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center.
Currently, Mayor Gloria’s plan for the H Barracks site calls for it being a safe parking area for homeless people who live in their cars. Secondarily, there’s a provision in the mayor’s plan that could add those large sprung tents that can house hundreds of people in bunk beds.
The H Barracks site has been a lightning rod issue for Point Loma residents. Turner says he has spoken to resident groups about his plan.
“We were made aware of Larry Turner’s proposal earlier this week and have been communicating with his team asking for details,” says Point Loma CARES President Derek Falconer. “At this time we are 100% focused on eliminating any possibility of a large, congregate shelter at the H Barracks site as it is not compatible with Liberty Station, tourism, local businesses, the airport, and most importantly, the homeless individuals themselves.”
After publication, Mayor Gloria’s election campaign team responded: “Turner’s plan would be much more costly than the one that is already being implemented. The Mayor’s plan is approved by the Coastal Commission to serve 200 households and construction is well underway. Mr. Turner publicly opposed any use of the property for housing the homeless until now. Mayor Gloria, in contrast, is getting the job done.” SDSun
