IAED USA: Civic Innovator Proposes Solution to Homelessness in U.S. Cities — Alan Jessen

IAED, USA - According to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report for 2023, there are 143,000 chronically homeless people in the United States - an increase of nearly 30% from 2020. The majority are sleeping in tents, on streets, in cars, in public parks or other places not meant for human habitation. As downtown areas of major cities become filled with encampments and drug trafficking, businesses close down, buildings become vacant, planned developments are terminated and tourism plummets. Cities are dying and political leaders seem to offer only band-aid solutions while spending millions of dollars.

The US International Association for Peace and Economic Development hosted a webinar on January 16, 2024, titled “An Answer to America’s Homeless Crisis,” featuring artist and civic activist George Mullen, the volunteer director of the proposed Sunbreak Ranch Homeless Triage Center in San Diego, California. Mr. Mullen noted that a civilized society cannot allow what is happening. Statistics in San Diego show a 50% year-over-year increase in the total number of unsheltered homeless people and a 250% increase in the number of homeless deaths on the streets of San Diego, nearly 600 in the past year.

Mr. Mullen outlined the unique features of Sunbreak Ranch that offer a solution to this humanitarian and economic catastrophe. Of course it cannot solve the causes of homelessness; it is designed rather to end street homelessness by providing a place where homeless persons can go.

Sunbreak would be much like the temporary portable refugee centers run by the United Nations. As a “triage” center, it would temporarily house people, identify their needs, and move them to more permanent housing or treatment centers. It would be fully staffed, with services including job training and an employment dashboard for those capable and wanting to re-enter the workforce. It would provide everyone in need with a clean, healthy, safe and secure place and bed. Residents could come and go as they please.

This is a compassionate approach that would allow the city to return to enforcing existing laws against unsafe, unhealthy behaviors and sleeping in public spaces. As George Mullen says: “We want to help our homeless brothers and sisters and assist them on their path to better lives. We have a moral obligation to help the homeless, but we are not obligated to cede our downtowns, our tourist attractions, and residential neighborhoods to the unsafe conditions of homeless encampments, and exposure to the spread of infectious diseases.”

Sunbreak is not yet operational - political leadership has yet to agree on the site - but detailed plans are in place, and it has the backing of prominent citizens in San Diego. It will have a maximum site occupancy of 5,000 people. It will provide a full range of social services, medical and mental healthcare, meals, laundry, and a general store; portable bathrooms and showers, on-site 24/7 security, playgrounds, a chapel, and a community garden, among other features. There will be a sheltered bed for everyone, as well as space for those with RV’s or who prefer to pitch their own tent. There will even be a dog park!

The commentator on this program was Dr. William Eimicke, professor of the practice of international affairs at Columbia University in New York, who has extensive experience in public/private partnerships. He expressed optimism at the feasibility of the project and the ability to gain financial support. “Once the good aim is there and good plans, the money will come; volunteers will come,” he said. He noted that the concept appears solid, but the details are complex. Recognizing that the triage concept is just the first step in returning people to productive life, Dr. Eimicke described the project as well thought out, saying it not only can be done, but should be done.

This was a very well received program with several persons making comments and asking questions after the formal program and recording ended.

By Alan Jesson, North American Coordinator, IAED January 16, 2024

Home Media Goals Sun break Plan Jobs Endorsements Ranch Site Articles Petition How to Help Contact -1,

A Sunbreak is defined as “a breaking forth of the sun at sunrise; a new beg inning.”

Sunbreak Ranch Homeless Triage Center City of San Diego+ County of San Diego United States of America

Sunbreak Ranch is a “compassion-centered”, non-partisan, non-political, all-volunteer effort to save lives and save our cities.

“We have a moral obligation t o help the homeless. But we are not obligated to cede our downtowns, our tourist attractions, and our residential neighborh oods t o homeless encampments. And as a societ y, we also have a moral obligation to protect the general population from rampant infectious diseases.”

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As Seen on the News:

Homelessness Is an Emergency - Let’s ‘Parachute in’ Sunbreak Ranch at Brown Field By George Mullen and Bill Walt on

PDF version for emailing and printing

UT Editorial Attack on Sunbreak Ranch a ‘Slap in Face’ to Many Working to End Homelessness By Casey Gwinn, Former San Diego City At t orney, 1996 - 200 4

PDF version for emailing and printing

Sunbreak Ranch Is the Answer to San Diego - and America’s - Homeless Crisis By George Mullen and Bill Walton

PDF version for emailing and printing

Watch Lawrence Jones report on San Diego’s homeless crisis and the Sunbreak Ranch proposal for ending it.

Watch Greg Gutfeld discuss Sunbreak Ranch in his #1 rated late-night “comedy” show, Gutfeld!

Watch Greg Gutfeld hail Sun break Ranch as “America’s homeless solution” on the #1 rated cable news show, The Five.

Watch The Five discuss NBA legend Bill Walton and the Sunbreak Ranch solution to homelessness.

Our Four Goals 1. END THE HOMELESS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS THAT IS RAVAGING OUR STREETS, CANYONS, AND PUBLIC PARKS - Despite what elected officials say, this is an achievable goal via a combination approach of Sunbreak Ranch as our region’s central homeless triage location, coupled with the development of a Rea l Time Shelter Dashboard and a Real Time Emp loyment Dashboard. This dual “compassion-centered” approach w ill help save t housands of lives of our fellow citizens, as well as save bil lions of taxpayer dollars.

2. RETURN TO THE RULE OF LAW ON ALL OF OUR STREETS, CANYONS AND PUBLIC PARKS- AND ESTABLISH A FUTURE OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL - This is achievable once Sun break Ranch is operational, because “Sunbreak will establish a clean, healthy, safe, and secure place for everyone in need”. Th is is the key ingredient to enable our return to the Rule of Law and establish a futu re of dignity and respect for all.

3. MAKE SAN DIEGO THE CLEANEST BIG CITY IN AMERICA - San Diego was once one of the cleanest big cities in America, but now is disgusting ly filt hy beyond recognit ion. With the Sun break Ranch homeless triage location operational, matched with our return to t he Rule of Law, making San Diego the cleanest big city in America will become a realit y.

4. RETURN OUR STREETS, CANYONS, AND PUBLIC PARKS TO CLEAN , HEALTHY, SAFE, AND SECURE PLACES FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY - By achieving our fi rst three goals, this one will quickly fall into place.

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Sunbreak Plan/ Triage First Sunbreak is designed t o be t he “compassion-cent ered” location solution for all homeless persons in need - a triage center that will help each individual get where best fits t heir needs:

ST REETS, SIDEWALKS &CANYONS OF SAN DIEGO

PUBLIC PARKS, ILLEGAL PRIVATE RECREATION AREAS, PROPERTY BEACHES & BIKE PATHS

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’ PUBLIC & PRIVATE COUNTY OF SAN MENTAL HEALTH & DIEGO SHELTERS & MEDICAL CARE PROGRAMS FACILITIES a I.I”’!

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Jobs Jobs Jobs The best way t o help people get back on their feet is by helping t hem f ind suitable jobs that will enable t heir return to independent living.

Sunbreak Ranch wil l have a Real Time Shelter Dashboard on-site to help resident s locate open beds and housing around t he county. Likewise, Sunbreak will have a Real Time Employment Dashboard on-site to help residents locate jobs and job t raining opportunities around t he county. The t wo Dashboards will have Sunbrea k represent atives on hand t o assist residents in t heir searches.

Employers throughout t he cou nty will be encouraged t o offer jobs and job tra ining opportunities for Sunbreak’s residents via our Real Time Employment Dashboard.

Sunbreak Endorsement Team The following individuals and organizat ions have endorsed the concept of immediat ely implement ing the Sunbreak Plan as t he Comprehensive Homeless Solution for San Diego and t he Unit ed States of America. We invite everyone to join us in endorsing Sun break - t o do so please email us using t he websit e contact form.

CLICK TO VIEW TH E TEA M

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Sunbreak Ranch is not site-specific or locat ion-dependent. We are open-minded t o all site opportunities t hat meet t he needs of ou r homeless brothers and sisters.

Miramar and Otay Mesa are our favored locations, both being about 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. In fact , t hese locations are closer to downtown San Diego t han Scripps Ra nch, Mira Mesa, and Del Mar. And t housands commut e downtown daily from dist ances much f urt her away.

Based on our “Federal Leadership, Local Control” approach t o homelessness, t he unused federa l lands just east of Interstate 15 on t he Marine Corps Air St ation Miramar presents a unique and compel ling opportunit y. This location is at t he heart of San Diego County and easily accessible t o everyone. From Int erstat e 15, exit Miramar Way, head east for about t hree seconds and park …then IMAGINE t he possibilit ies in t his beaut ifu l setting:

Aerial View of Proposed Mira mar Site

A short 15 minute drive f rom downtown San Diego. Closer t o downtown than Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Del Mar.

A short 15 minute drive f rom downtown San Diego. Closer to downtown than Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Del Mar.

CLI CK TO VIEW THE A LTERNATI VE OTAY M ESA SITE

Sunbreak Ranch Architectural Layout

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Thank you t o the incredible t eam at Davy Architect ure.

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Sunbreak Ranch Amenities+ Benefits Sunbreak is designed t o be a large-scale tem porary ranch in the layout of t he Old Ca lifornia Ranchos - bef itting California’s rich hist ory and t opography. It w ill be a c reat ive, one-of -a-kind locat ion feat uring 35 plus amenit ies and benef it s that strive t o make t he Ranch the best possible t emporary home for our homeless brot hers and sisters, friends and neighbors.

CLICK TO VIEW THE AMENITIES

Articles That Launched Sunbreak Ranch CLICK TO VIEW ARTICLES

Sign the Petition to Support Sunbreak Ranch CLICK TO SIGN THE PETITION

Take Back San Diego Take Back San Diego is a non-partisan, non-polit ical g rassroot s coa lition of native (and long- time) San Di egans who, in unison, are saying NO MORE to t he homeless st atus quo of suffering.

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How You Can Help

We don’t want your money, we want your participation and action.

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Contact Contact Persons: George Mullen and Brian Caster

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Tags: Alpha Project , Balboa Park, Bill Walton, Bob McElroy, Brian Caster, Brown Field, Camp Hope, Coronado Homeless, Dan Shea, Deacon Jim Vargas, Donnie Dee, Downtown San Diego Partnership, ECTLC, Father Joe’s, Federal Leadership Local Control, fentanyl, George Mullen, Greg Gutfeld, Greg Gutfield, Hepatit is A outbreak, Homeless Crisis, Homeless solutions, Homeless Transition Center, Homeless veterans, Kevin Faulconer, Lawrence Jones, Lucky Duck Foundat ion, Malin Burnham, MCAS Miramar, Michael Branch, Michael McConnell, Miramar, 0tay Mesa, Pet er Seidler, Rescue Mission, Richard Bailey, Rick Sweeney, Rot ary, Rotary District 5340, San Diego Homelessness, San Diego Rotary, St. Teresa of Calcutta Villa, Stephen Whitburn, Sunbreak Plan, Sunbreak Ranch, Todd Gloria