El Cajon to consider program for storing homeless people’s belongings

El Cajon’s top administrator said the city should not implement a proposed program to store homeless individuals’ personal belongings after encampments are cleared.

The city typically conducts encampment clearings and cleanups twice a week. Individuals at the encampments are told to relocate, and items that are left behind are collected and disposed of by the city.

Last year, the city’s homeless encampment team removed around 250 tons of abandoned items, according to a recent report.

During the city’s annual update on homelessness programs over the summer, city leaders asked staff to research the feasibility of a storage program for items that are collected when encampments are cleared.

City Manager Graham Mitchell said the drawbacks of such a program outweigh the benefits.

Providing storage opportunities for homeless individuals after clearings can be helpful to those pursuing treatment or housing options, a staff report said.

Similar programs have been implemented in the city of San Diego and Lemon Grove. Individuals oftentimes use the facilities to safely keep their important documents or most treasured possessions.

However, staff noted a large cost associated with implementing and staffing a storage program. Assuming a basic setup, the city estimated initial costs to reach up to $1.75 million, with maintenance costs being more significant — primarily due to staffing and storage management.

The report said such a program would require hiring an additional employee at an annual cost of up to $120,000.

“Implementation would also slow current encampment cleanup operations,” the report said.

Staff cited low rates of property retrieval at existing facilities in the county.

In Lemon Grove, items gathered from encampment clearings are placed in 65-gallon containers stored on pallets. Individuals call a phone number listed on an inventory sheet and items are brought to City Hall for retrieval. According to the report, “few individuals” have returned for their items.

A similar program exists in the city of San Diego. Individuals call the phone number listed on the encampment notice and staff bring the stored items to them.

“The City reports that items are rarely impounded because advance notice typically results in individuals removing their belongings, leaving only trash behind,” the report states.

Further, city staff said a storage facility could increase the risk of theft or vandalism.

The issue of what to do with the personal property of those living in encampments is the subject of several lawsuits, including a class-action lawsuit filed in 2024 alleging that officers and government workers from around the region are repeatedly, and illegally, throwing out homeless residents’ personal property in East County.

City leaders will discuss staff’s recommendations during the regular council meeting on Jan. 13.