El Cajon shares results of first city-run point-in-time homeless census

Doubting the accuracy of San Diego County’s annual homelessness census, El Cajon launched its own survey last month of unsheltered people. It found a marked decrease from last year.

More than three dozen city officials hit the streets of the East County city to perform their first independent homelessness census in January, a week before the regional point-in-time count was set to take place.

“This data is going to help us make smart decisions and good recommendations to our City Council to address homelessness,” City Manager Graham Mitchell said.

City officials decided to conduct their own count amid tensions with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness. Last year, the task force counted 344 individuals without shelter living in El Cajon —  a number that the city pushed back on.

Task force leaders said they support El Cajon’s Point-in-Time count. The move is not uncommon; several cities and organizations throughout San Diego County conduct their own local counts throughout the year.

“Anything that helps us address and end homelessness in the community, I’m supportive of,” said task force Chief Executive Officer Tamera Kohler. “I love jurisdictions that really want to dig in and do as much as they possibly can for the folks in their community. So, I don’t see it as any slight to our work or the requ...