Nobody had to die in the City College Underpass

March 15, 2021

The NAACP San Diego Branch is deeply saddened at the deaths and injuries that occurred this morning near City College, when a driver left the road and struck many unhoused human beings.
We do not know for certain the reason the vehicle left the road. We do know for certain that none of those people had to die today.

Under the Biden Administration, hotel rooms for unhoused individuals are 100% FEMA reimbursable. Our elected officials know that a majority of unhoused persons are at risk of serious complications or death from COVID because of their underlying conditions, which are exacerbated by being homeless. Those same conditions render them categorically eligible for 100% FEMA reimbursement for hotel rooms.
It is raining in San Diego – why are rooms not being used to save lives and prevent COVID complications and death? If they had been, these sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers would not have been at risk from this vehicle accident.

There needs to be serious change in our priorities, and much bolder leadership from our City officials, to get people off the streets and into safe, secure housing. The money is there. Where is the leadership?