Santa Ana Mayoral Candidate Jose Solorio Pledges to Forgo a Salary Until the City’s Homelessness Problem is Under Control 

 

Santa Ana, CA – As Mayor, Jose Solorio says he won’t take a salary until the City’s homelessness crisis is brought under control. 

 

Solorio pledges he will not be paid until the top 15 hotspots in the City are free of encampments and until the city has created a mechanism to track the mental health, drug treatment, and housing services offered for homeless residents in those areas.

 

“Accountability must start with our leaders, which is why I’m making a pledge not to be paid until we see changes in the homelessness situation on Santa Ana’s streets,” Solorio said. 

 

Solorio has an expansive plan to address the City’s homeless crisis that is rooted in addressing the immediate challenges while simultaneously treating addiction and mental health issues, as well as providing stable affordable housing, job training, and more.

 

“The homelessness issue is serious – it affects all of our futures and we must take drastic action if we expect to see change,” Solorio said. “My plan focuses on both getting people off the street and helping them stay off through programs that address the root causes. We can do both and ensure a safer Santa Ana for all.” 

 

Solorio’s plan also includes creating an independent citizen commission to oversee the City efforts to reduce homelessness and rising crime. Part of this accountability measure also includes phone, text online hotlines and a public dashboard, including a citywide map, for City leaders and residents to track progress in the community. 

 

“I’m running for mayor because I know that a bright future is possible for Santa Ana,” Solorio said. “By addressing the immediate challenges while also using a community approach, we can create change.” 

 

Another critical piece of Solorio’s program is partnership, working with state, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations to help get homeless individuals into appropriate mental health and drug treatment facilities and connect them with safe, stable affordable housing and job training.

 

Additional details of Solorio’s plan include: 

 

Stop aggressive panhandling. The City has a municipal law in place that prohibits people from aggressively panhandling near ATMs, banks, and other areas, but it must be enforced by the city and in coordination with property owners. Too many seniors, young people, and residents have been physically and verbally threatened by panhandlers, many of whom are homeless individuals with mental health and drug addiction problems.

 

Enforce anti-camping laws, especially near schools, parks and businesses. The City has a municipal law in place that prohibits individuals from camping in public areas and on private property. The City, in coordination with the County, has been building and operating home shelters to offer homeless individuals housing, but also so that it can maintain its right to enforce anti-camping laws. If the City is making a good faith effort to provide housing and other supportive services, it’s reasonable that residents should expect safe access to public areas and local businesses.

 

Strengthen partnerships with state, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations. Our City government can’t address all of these homelessness challenges and burdens alone. We need to keep advocating for additional resources from the state and also grow and enhance our partnerships with nonprofits, churches and other faith-based organizations that are willing to help our community and unsheltered residents.

 

Resource cards for homeless residents. The City should implement basic tools like small printed resource cards to provide to every individual homeless resident in Santa Ana. We can’t take it for granted that they know where they can get the housing and services they need.

 

Regional advocacy. Homelessness isn’t just a problem in Santa Ana. It’s a challenge across the county, state, and beyond. Our City leaders should spend more time collaborating with surrounding communities to ensure homeless individuals aren’t being moved from place to place, but receiving support. By learning and exchanging best practices, we can make progress on this extremely challenging issue.