The San Diego County Taxpayers Association has accused the Regional Task Force on Homelessness of forcing it to destroy data that could reveal the effectiveness of publicly funded programs aimed at addressing the homeless crisis. This accusation, reported by Austin Grabish of ABC 10 News, highlights concerns over transparency and accountability in managing homelessness funds.
Homelessness and Public Spending
San Diego’s streets, like many urban areas, showcase the severity of homelessness, with visible drug use and erratic behavior among the unhoused population. Amber Bernardino, a resident living on disability, reflects the frustration of many: “We need so much more help than what we’re getting, you know, and where the money’s going? I don’t know.” The city has spent over $218 million in the last three fiscal years to tackle homelessness, but the effectiveness of this spending is under scrutiny.
The Role of the Taxpayers Association
Haney Hong, CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, has been at the forefront of efforts to track the impact of homelessness programs. His organization was granted access to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness two years ago. This data, anonymized and extensive, was crucial for analyzing which programs successfully helped individuals exit homelessness.
Agreement and Data Destruction
However, a year into the project, the Task Force terminated the data-sharing agreement, requiring the Taxpayers Association to destroy the data. Hong expressed regret over signing the agreement, which included a standard clause mandating data destruction upon termination. Despite efforts to regain access, the Task Force has provided numerous reasons for not sharing the data again.
The Impact of Lost Data
Hong believes the destroyed data was vital for understanding which programs were effective and which were not. “We learned that we can and that’s what we’re all looking for. Let’s find what is working and what’s not, and invest accordingly,” he stated. Without this data, it is challenging to tie specific funding to outcomes and to determine if individuals re-enter homelessness after program exits.
Task Force’s Response
In response to the allegations, the Regional Task Force on Homelessness defended its actions. Spokesperson Tony Manolatos highlighted that the Task Force follows federal guidelines on data handling and emphasized the importance of protecting the privacy of those experiencing homelessness. Manolatos also mentioned that the organization works with recognized entities, including UC San Diego, to maintain public-facing dashboards and share data responsibly.
Privacy Concerns vs. Transparency
Hong refuted the privacy concerns, stating that the data analyzed was anonymized. He emphasized the need for transparency in public spending, especially given the significant financial investments in homelessness programs. “I’m not asking if Austin’s homeless, right? I’m not asking if Haney Hong is experiencing homelessness, right? I’m not doing that. We’re just asking for anonymized data that they’ve already shared with us,” he argued.
Public and Community Reactions
Residents like Amber Bernardino, who lived homeless for seven years before moving into transitional housing, share Hong’s desire for transparency. She voiced her concern over the lack of visible results despite substantial spending, reflecting a broader community demand for accountability.
“A Huge Scam”
People in the comments shared their opinions: “Homeless Industrial Complex. Misuse of tax payer funds with zero accountability.”
Another person added: “I would be shocked if 5% of that money actually went to the homelessness”
One commenter kept it simple: “Its a huge scam”
The Need for Accountability
The controversy underscores the need for rigorous tracking and transparency in addressing homelessness. As San Diego continues to invest millions in this crisis, ensuring that funds are effectively used is crucial. The Taxpayers Association’s call for open data sharing aims to foster a more accountable system that can better serve the homeless population and the community at large.
Transparency vs. Privacy
What do you think? How can organizations balance the need for transparency in public spending with the privacy rights of individuals receiving services? What are the potential impacts on policy and funding decisions if critical data about program effectiveness is not available or destroyed? How can local communities and residents be more involved in monitoring and evaluating homelessness programs?
For additional insights, view the full video on ABC 10 News’ YouTube channel here.
