Platform

My top three priorities are to PROTECT, HOUSE, and EDUCATE San Diegans, recognizing that the people of this city are its true jewel. By prioritizing people over property and the realization of human rights over profits and riches, we will secure for our children and grandchildren a city they can proudly call home.

Protect

It brings a sense of comfort and peace to feel safe and protected, and I want that for every resident of District 3 and every San Diegan. Unfortunately, some groups do not feel safe. We can protect San Diegans by providing various resources that support economic development, safe and adequate housing, and safer communities for everyone. I have a plan to PROTECT San Diegans.

House

Housing is what ends homelessness.  It’s the only thing that ends homelessness.  If we are committed to ending homelessness we must be committed to producing enough housing options to meet the needs of our growing homeless population.  We owe a moral and a legal duty to the residents of our city to provide housing for everyone and all income groups.  When we fail in that obligation we cannot hide from our failures by turning the blame to the individual homeless.

If there were only a few dozen homeless persons at any given time it would be fair to ascribe their homelessness to their individual failings.  But when there are tens of thousands of homeless persons — over 11,000 homeless school-age children — that’s not an individual failure but a systemic one.  The first step in solving the problem is accepting responsibility for our role in the problem.   

To address the issue and end homelessness, we must:

  • Boost housing production and stock.

  • Bolster Housing Navigation supports.

  • Expand shallow rent subsidies.

  • Enforce anti-discrimination laws.

We have to end the culture that sees poor people as a threat to our community and foster one of equity, compassion and inclusion.  We have to stop spreading misinformation about the homeless population as this only fuels hatred, stigmatizes vulnerable people and doesn’t get us any closer to solving the problem.

Homelessness will only be solved with the right attitude and a plan that truly acknowledges (a) housing is a human right, (b) the homelessness crisis must be treated as a public health crisis and not as a criminal matter on the part of the unhoused, and (c) our city leaders have exacerbated the problem.   

Every tent on the street is a visible reminder of the failure of our government to provide for our most vulnerable residents. I have a plan to HOUSE San Diegans.

Educate

Education is what provides the individual with opportunities for self-empowerment. The more educated our populace, the greater the innovation and entrepreneurial energy.   No matter our calling in life, we can all benefit from education, and education should be a constant throughout our lives.

We must support education for our trade occupations, as these are necessary to build and maintain the infrastructure in our city for it to support its many people. We must also support learning opportunities for all who thirst to grow in their understanding of the city, which is why I will open up City Hall to our youth in special sessions throughout the year to identify community needs, commission community projects and expand civic engagement amongst our youth.  We will also support our teachers and school administrators.  This is direct democracy.

As a city, we should support all families seeking early learning opportunities, like Headstart, for their toddlers. We will work with employers to identify the needs of the modern workforce and to train our city residents to meet those needs most effectively.  I have a plan to EDUCATE San Diegans.

Clean and Fix

To realize our goals of protecting, housing, and educating San Diegans, we must address and end the culture of corruption and fix our broken systems through thorough audits and reforms. Our city departments and divisions have suffered from incompetent management and, in some cases, even fraud and corruption. We need to expose these bad acts, take responsibility for our failures, and commit to improvement.  

If elected, I, Coleen Cusack, promise to:

  • Protect San Diegans by ensuring their safety and providing them with opportunities for success.

  • House all individuals seeking housing, as it is the moral obligation of a civil society to do so.

  • Educate residents of all ages, expanding their opportunities for understanding and employment.

  • Listen to the community through interactive town halls and Zoom meetings.

  • Learn from researchers and apply best practices to policy decisions for optimal outcomes.

  • Facilitate collaboration between faith-based groups, business organizations, public interest non-profits, mutual aid providers, and community members to find community-based solutions to the most pressing issues.

  • Clean up trash and provide adequate public restrooms, seeking clean and renewable energy solutions.

  • Fix broken streetlights, potholes, buildings, and institutional city systems in need of repair.

  • Promote spaces and facilities for San Diegans to enjoy parks, sports venues, theaters, concerts, recreational centers, and museums.

  • Grow as an inclusive leader, responsibly guiding our city towards a new and prosperous tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Coleen Cusack