SAN DIEGO — Nearly a month after the unprecedented floods in San Diego, city crews are going door to door in this Southcrest neighborhood giving out free trash cans and replacement bins.
"We're here to lend a hand in these recovery efforts," said Andrea Deleon who works for the City Environmental Services Department.
Yet, Amy Gonzalez lives in the Southcrest area and says the city's assistance is falling short.
"Sure, it's beneficial, is it enough? No! They're giving us trash cans, it’s a little too late. It would have helped a lot if they cleaned the canals or drains. I wonder why after everything that happened, now they want to do their work? C'mon! Our lives were ruined!" she says.
Gonzalez gave CBS 8 a tour of her home damaged by the floods.
"It's depressing," she says. "I mean, I slept here. I did my homework here. Now, all of that is just sticks! I have a sticks house!"
Her own father is having to rebuild the pieces.
"I have to do what I have to do to save my house and family. The city needs to do something, do something! That’s all I can say!" he said.
Saturday, a group of volunteers known as the Local 619 Union Carpenters is restoring these homes for free.
"We got into action! We put boots on the ground and since day one, we have helped with whatever families need, said Victor Diaz, Special Representative with the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters.
They are rebuilding on 12 homes in this neighborhood while neighbors are handing out snacks to volunteers as a token of their appreciation. They are all working together tirelessly to pick up the slack. Residents are hopeful their efforts will trigger a stronger response from city officials.
"They are coming in and giving us stuff. It's like they are trying to cover what they did and not taking in consideration and say, 'we messed up.' They are trying to cover it," said Gonzalez.
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