The Truth Behind the Claims of Kevin Faulconer and Terra Lawson-Remer on Homelessness
The Claim: Former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer and his supporters are calling out County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer for allegedly not attending any meetings of the regional homeless response group despite serving as vice chair.
“My opponent is vice chair of the county’s regionwide homeless committee, the Continuum of Care. A vice chair is a leader, and do you know how many meetings she’s gone to in the last three years, as the vice chair? Zero,” Faulconer claimed at a recent debate.
Lawson-Remer quickly interjected, accusing Faulconer of lying.
The Verdict: According to Tony Manolatos, spokesperson for the regional homeless coordinating group known as the Continuum of Care, Lawson-Remer has not personally attended any meetings. However, representatives from her team have attended 10 out of the 13 meetings held since she joined the board in 2022.
Spencer Katz, Lawson-Remer’s spokesperson, clarified the confusion from the debate, stating, “As vice chair of the Continuum of Care board, my team attends almost every meeting.”
Despite the technical differences between the Continuum of Care and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, both terms are often used interchangeably, especially during the annual homeless census.
James Canning, another spokesperson for Lawson-Remer, emphasized her proactive approach to addressing homelessness by opening new shelter beds, increasing outreach efforts, and fostering partnerships between philanthropy and government.
On the other hand, Faulconer’s spokesperson, Gustavo Portela, criticized Lawson-Remer’s absence from meetings, questioning her commitment to tackling homelessness.
Ultimately, while meeting attendance may raise concerns, it is essential to recognize the broader impact of Lawson-Remer’s initiatives in combating homelessness.
