Ambitious proposals to address homelessness and mental health issues are moving forward in San Diego and statewide.
The plans come with considerable promise of improving the quality of life for people without shelter and those with mental and brain illnesses, including substance use disorders.
But history has shown there’s reason to temper expectations heading down this path. For one thing, they may not receive necessary approval, whether from the public or elected officials.
If they do, they might not be all they’re cracked up to be, whether it’s a huge homeless shelter near San Diego International Airport or a $6.4 billion bond to greatly expand California’s mental health and substance abuse facilities and treatment.
Then there’s the question of who gets to define “success.”
That debate is at the heart of public camping bans that have taken root in San Diego and other cities. Last week, state Sen. Brian Jones, R-Santee, renewed his effort to pass such prohibitions statewide .