Interfaith Community Services, Escondido’s only homeless shelter provider, is worried that city officials are trying to push the nonprofit out of town.
Here’s why: Last month, Escondido Police Chief Ed Varso sent a letter to Interfaith CEO Greg Anglea informing him of multiple permit violations by two of Interfaith’s properties; therefore, he was escalating Interfaith’s case to the city attorney’s office.
Anglea told Voice that Interfaith has been working with the police since the issues were first brought up in September 2023 and has made many changes to stay in compliance with their permits. He said the accusations are unsubstantiated and inaccurate.
The case could eventually go to the City Council, which has the power to significantly alter Interfaith’s permits or revoke them.
Background: Interfaith received the letter two days before the City Council adopted their new homelessness policy, which included an amendment by Escondido Mayor Dane White to explore a moratorium on homeless shelters and services in downtown Escondido, including a buffer zone of the surrounding six blocks.
White said at the meeting this was in response to county officials potentially exploring putting a new shelter in Escondido, but Interfaith’s leaders are worried this could impact their two properties which are in that downtown buffer zone, especially if their permits are hanging in the balance.
White told the Union-Tribune there “has never been a conversation about shutting [Interfaith] down.” He also told the U-T that the relationship between Interfaith and the city is “in shambles” and is “beyond repair” for the “foreseeable future.”
Three Quick Election Updates
- 75th Assembly District: It’s looking like it will likely be a Republican vs. Republican race in November, but it’s still too close to call. Carl DeMaio is leading with 43 percent and Andrew Hayes is in second with Democrat Kevin Juza only 556 votes behind.
- Chula Vista Council District 4: Former Councilmember Andrea Cardenas has dropped to fifth place. School board trustee Cesar Fernandez and former councilmember Rudy Ramirez are in the top two spots.
- San Diego Council District 3: Councilmember Stephen Whitburn will face off against attorney Coleen Cusack.
Arizona Has Its Sights on Baja California
Everyone is really excited about a new nonstop flight from Tijuana to Phoenix. It was promoted as an opportunity to boost tourism and collaboration between Arizona and Baja California.
The latter piqued Voice contributor’s Sandra Dibble’s interest. Over three decades of covering the border, she’d never heard of any special connection between the two. So, what’s up?
She learned that Arizona and Baja California business, government and academic leaders were busy forging ties last month in Phoenix. There’s a push to build tech manufacturing ties between the two states given a global demand for semiconductor chips.
“Arizona has become a very, very big hub for semiconductor fabrication. And Baja California is one of the few states in Mexico that does have that specific area of expertise,” Baja California’s undersecretary of economy, told Dibble.
Read more in the Border Report here.
A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools Upcoming Workshops
Do you have questions about navigating San Diego’s school system? Don’t know where to find after-school care? Want to know how your child’s school is performing?
We got you. Our 2024 A Parent’s Guide to San Diego School has all the information and data to help you make the best choice for your child. Voice education reporter Jakob McWhinney and our editors are hosting workshops this month to help guide you.
Here’s where you can meet us:
- Wednesday, March 13 at Girl Scouts of San Diego Balboa Service Center at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 14 at the Linda Vista Library at 10:30 a.m.
RSVP here and download the guide here.
In Other News
- A business group’s latest census showed street homelessness downtown and in its outskirts ticked up again for the second month in a row.
- Full passenger rail services between San Diego and Orange County are expected to resume in April. A landslide in San Clemente has halted rail service since Jan. 24. (KPBS)
- A new California bill to address cross-border pollution that flows from Tijuana into San Diego’s coastal waters was introduced Monday. It aims to require companies to clean up their own pollution in California’s watersheds or pay for the state to do it for them. (KPBS)
- Some Carlsbad residents want city leaders to close down or relocate an affordable housing complex that has consistently had problems related to crime, drugs and mental health since it opened in 2022. (Union-Tribune)
- Nearly 100 people crossed into the U.S. from the Tijuana River channel on Sunday. The group turned themselves into Border Patrol and are being processed. (Union-Tribune)
The Morning Report was written by Tigist Layne and Andrea Lopez-Villafaña. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.
Interfaith DOES NOT operate a homeless shelter. They closed their Haven House Shelter due to bed bugs infestation! And, they kicked all the shelter residents back out on the street!
Interfaith abandoned the migrant program because they weren’t making money. They closed their shelter and opened a detox because a detox will generate more money. They do NOT offer services for the homeless other than a sack lunch with some potato chips in it.
This article is false because Interfaith Community Services DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A SHELTER!!!!!
Interfaith and CEO Greg Anglea turn FAMILIES AWAY from Interfaith!
While he makes over $200,000/year from donations, he turns away families and good people in need
He needs to be run out of Escondido!!!
Interfaith’s OWN Security Guards STOLE 1,000s of DONATED Gift Cards this past year at Christmas time!!!
From security up to the CEO, these people are SHADY!
ITS TIME FOR INTERFAITH TO GO!!!