By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right: Councilmembers Phil Ortiz and Steve Goble

September 28, 2022 (El Cajon) – At yesterday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to create a subcommittee to help draft regulatory policy for motels operating with homeless vouchers. Councilmembers Steve Goble and Phil Ortiz will serve on the subcommittee.

Councilmembers and the City Manager also voiced frustration over problems caused by the county filling up motels in the city with homeless individuals using county-issued vouchers, concerns echoing those raised in a recent press conference. City leaders also expressed disappointment in the county’s failure to respond to complaints and by a threat from the Attorney General demanding that the city rescind warning notices sent to hotels exceeding a city limit on long-term occupancy by homeless instead of short-term travelers.  As ECM reported, the AG accused the city of violating California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The City also made its case that it has done more than its fair share to help the homeless in our region – far more than the county or neighboring cities in East County.