The Debate Over Kevin Faulconer’s Record on Homelessness

As the upcoming political race heats up, former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer finds himself at the center of a contentious debate over his record on homelessness. Faulconer and his supporters are quick to point out significant decreases in homelessness during his tenure as mayor, while his opponent, County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, argues the opposite.

The claims and counterclaims have been flying in mailers, campaign emails, and debates, leaving voters wondering where the truth lies. Did Faulconer truly reduce homelessness, or did he contribute to the crisis?

The arguments hinge on when you start the clock and the accuracy of homelessness data. Faulconer only made homelessness a priority in 2017, following a deadly hepatitis A outbreak that devastated San Diego’s homeless community. He implemented various measures to address the crisis, resulting in a 12 percent decrease in street homelessness in the city by 2020.

However, critics point out that overall homelessness increased in three of Faulconer’s seven years as mayor, and the data is not always reliable. The Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which conducts the annual census, has acknowledged limitations in the count, making year-over-year comparisons challenging.

Lawson-Remer’s team claims that homelessness doubled under Faulconer’s leadership, using data from his time as a city council member in 2007. However, Faulconer’s supporters argue that his second term saw improvements in tackling homelessness, despite the challenges.

Both candidates have their own interpretations of the data, with Faulconer emphasizing the positive trajectory in his final year in office, and Lawson-Remer highlighting the lasting impact of homelessness increases on Faulconer’s watch. The debate is far from settled, with each side defending their positions based on the available data.

As the election approaches, voters will have to sift through the competing claims and make an informed decision on Faulconer’s record on homelessness. The issue remains a critical one for San Diego and will undoubtedly shape the outcome of the race for County Supervisor.