CARLSBAD, Calif. — The City of Carlsbad says it's taking steps to address concerns from people who live near an affordable housing facility. Carlsbad police said they have received nearly 800 calls for service, which include many investigations into criminal activity and safety concerns.
The City of Carlsbad agreed to revisit the concerns in 60 days to discuss safety measures at the Windsor Pointe affordable housing facility.
“So that we can get a timeframe and get a chart going. See what goals we have obtained, what the potential is to obtain the other ones," said City Councilmember Melanie Burkholder.
During Tuesday's city council meeting, the city heard from residents frustrated and upset about what they said is rampant crime at the property.
“There’s been attempted murders, they physically cannot keep infiltrators, visitors out of that building," said concerned resident, Denis Jensen.
The facility opened in 2022 and houses homeless veterans. It also serves as a home for people with serious mental health issues.
The numbers
- A total of 762 calls for service were placed since 2022 with over 44% being mental health related.
- Seven residents account for over half of the calls (53% or 401 calls), showing that a handful of residents are having a disproportionate impact on local resources, according to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
“We want to fix it. We want to make it right," said Burkholder.
Denis Jensen lives in the area and says the community feels ignored.
“We’ve been complaining for literally years. We’re not being heard. Nothing is being done. They’re just throwing social services, wrapped-around services – whatever you want to call it, that is not a solution for this problem," he said. “[Around] twenty kids live within one block of this place, and this is who they’re putting next to our kids. And that’s the objection, we’re 100% pro homeless solutions, pro helping the homeless but let's use some common sense, this is not the right location for that type of population."
He and others would like to see the city move the facility to safer locations for residents and those at the facility. “We're asking the city to relocate the facility to a safer location for both residents and tenants," he said.
“Find a location where all residents are safe, including those living at Windsor Pointe," said another resident to the council.
Councilmember Burkholder says the city wants the program to be successful both for the people seeking services and for residents, which is why the council says it’s taking action to improve the situation.
“We feel strongly that if we had a security presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we would be able to liaison with the Carlsbad Police Department and have a better outcome, a better result for the community," she said.
However, Jensen and one tenant who didn’t want to go on camera, believe that the city is moving slowly to address safety concerns.
Staff is set to revisit the issues in August with a full update to the Windsor Pointe Affordable Housing Management Update plan.
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