The City of Chula Vista finds itself at a crossroads, pondering the implementation of a homeless encampment ban similar to that of the City of San Diego, according to a CBS 8 report. Mayor John McCann of Chula Vista recently gained support from all four city council members; however, homeless advocates have voiced their opposition to such a ban in their city.

San Diego's implementation of a homeless encampment ban reportedly strained much of South Bay as an influx of unhoused individuals fled, exacerbating the limited resources in the area. In response, Chula Vista Mayor McCann proposed expanding the current rule, which prohibits tents on sidewalks, to all public spaces. As reported by FOX 5 San Diego, Mayor McCann explained, “We need to ensure that we are getting homeless off the streets, but also protecting our neighborhoods and small businesses."

Advocates for the unhoused expressed concerns that a ban would only shuffle people from one city to another. Sebastian Martinez, Executive Director for Community Through Hope, asked, "Are we going to continue playing tennis with San Diego? Where are these people going to go? They will spill into National City and Imperial Beach."

Following San Diego's controversial encampment ban, Chula Vista has seen an increase in its homeless population, and local nonprofit Community Through Hope is seeking public help with donations to support these individuals coming into the city.

As the debate continues, some residents of Chula Vista look to San Diego's approach and worry about the potential migration of unhoused individuals into their city. A San Diego Union-Tribune article quotes a concerned resident, Miguel Barajas, who stated in a letter to the City Council, “My fear is that we are not preparing ourselves for the inevitable migration that may happen soon, or is currently happening.”

There is also worry about the possibility of legal action if Chula Vista moves too quickly to implement an encampment ban without considering the outcome in San Diego. Councilmember Alonso Gonzalez cautiously said, “It’s very timely for us to start considering our options.”

Chula Vista currently has a 65-unit bridge shelter in place, but many residents and homeless advocates criticize the city for not operating the site at capacity since its opening in May. City Manager Maria Kachadoorian explained that the site has yet to install permanent bathrooms and laundry facilities, which has prevented more people from being housed.

Some homeless service providers in San Diego expressed concerns about the danger and lack of progress that encampment bans cause. Sebastian Martinez of Community Through Hope shared a similar sentiment in Chula Vista, suggesting that the city "resist pressure to go the way of San Diego" and work with service providers to implement measures that will help prevent homelessness in the first place.

Public sentiment remains divided over the city's decision to shut down Harborside Park without having adequate shelter beds available. City staff are now researching the park's housing potential under the Surplus Land Act. The city also faces the challenge of spreading resources across all four districts rather than concentrating them in one area, as Councilmember Gonzalez points out.

As the City of Chula Vista navigates this complex issue, city staff are expected to deliver a report to the City Council at a future meeting, potentially as early as next month.