(The Center Square) – San Diego County has had its spending on public assistance grow significantly over the past four years.
Public assistance has grown to become the second biggest government expense for the county. Public protection was $2.08 billion in fiscal year 2023, accounting for 34% of the $6.14 billion in governmental expenses. Public assistance accounted for $1.84 billion, or 30% of all governmental expenses. Public assistance cost the county $1.09 billion in 2019, which is a 69% increase over that four-year period.
That’s according to a budget report the county recently released.
The county stated the cost increases were tied to various programs such as an increase in in-home support services, rental assistance for low-income residents that was tied to federal pandemic relief money, and an increase in spending related to support for more affordable housing and the effort to end homelessness. There was also more staffing to support the increase in Medi-caid services and food assistance programs.
The county’s budget report stated mental and behavior health programs and programs for people in the criminal justice system also attributed to the increase in public assistance costs.
The county’s budget report covers expenses for public assistance through June 2023.
Since then, the county has reported that more than 50,000 additional migrants have been dropped off from September through December.
The county stated the increase in costs in public assistance from 2019 through 2023 had little to do with the migrant population. The county had just 3,980 newly arriving refugees and visa holders settled in the county from 2018 through June 30, 2023, according to a county report.
The county has an Office of Immigrant Affairs that address that needs of migrants, including housing assistance.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond said the federal government should step up and cover more of the costs of the newly arriving migrants. The county is designated as a Sanctuary City.
“Now, more money will be diverted away from county taxpayers. We have seen over 50,000 migrants enter San Diego County since September 13, and there are no signs of this slowing down,” Desmond said in a statement. “Our immigration system is broken, and San Diegans shouldn’t have to sacrifice local services because of this breakdown. This situation is unsustainable for our community, both financially and logistically.”
Desmond continued: “Migrants entering our country need assistance, but it’s the Federal Government’s responsibility, not the County’s, to fund and provide the necessary resources. The decision to use County funds for non-U.S. Citizens and federal immigration issues with no end in sight is a recipe for disaster.”
In October, the Board of Supervisors approved a $3 million Welcome Center in North San Diego County “to serve as a hub for services, resources, and information for immigrants and refugees.”
Editor’s note; This article was updated with additional information after publication.
