March 18, 2025
Mayor Blackburn, Mayor Pro-Tem Bhat-Patel, and Carlsbad City Council members, Mandy Mills, Housing and Homeless Services Director Mandy Mills, Police Chief Christie Calderwood, and Assistant City Attorney Jennifer True
RE: Agenda Item # 7, March 18, 2025 – OPPOSED AS DRAFTED - Adoption of Ordinance Amending Title 8 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code to Address Quality of Life Concerns Related to People Living in Vehicles
The League of Women Voters of North County San Diego supports programs and policies to assist those who are unhoused or about to become unhoused to meet their basic human needs.
Essential parts of this LWV Position on Homelessness are:
- Rescission by local jurisdictions and San Diego County of policies, practices, regulations and laws that criminalize, penalize, or permit the harassment of homeless persons for engaging in necessary life activities in public spaces (i.e., sleeping, standing, camping, etc.)
- Provision of facilities to meet the needs of those who are homeless for personal hygiene, storage, and trash removal, as well as safe spaces for tents, cars or recreational vehicles used for sleeping.
The City of Carlsbad
There is no mention of what unhoused Carlsbad citizens should do if they want to accept help, but there are no shelter facilities available to take them in. It appears the unhoused will be penalized and fined for something beyond their control. The option of a Safe Parking haven has been discarded, a compassionate and practical option that other neighboring communities and charitable organizations have successfully implemented including Oceanside and Encinitas.
We commend the City’s outreach efforts to offer supportive services to unhoused people living in vehicles, however, we believe the City’s enforcing a no camping ordinance will drive people out of Carlsbad into other jurisdictions and away from the services needed.
We urge you to take the truly compassionate action of amending this ordinance to include a Safe Parking option, to provide a place where residents can stay in their vehicles while they improve their situation. There is no need more basic for people than safe shelter.
Thank you for your service and for your consideration.
Marian Vega Clancy
President, League of Women Voters of North County San Diego