FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2021
SAN DIEGO – For years, the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, along with our partners in the Invest in San Diego Families coalition, have fought to dismantle a County of San Diego program that requires that virtually everyone who applies for CalWORKs assistance submit to a home investigation conducted by law enforcement.
Under Project 100% (P100), county residents applying for CalWORKs, the state’s public assistance program designed to help individuals with children transition into the workforce, are subjected to unannounced, unjust and unnecessary home investigations by law enforcement officers. Even when there is no reason to suspect wrongdoing, the county requires CalWORKs applicants to submit to intrusive and unwarranted searches.
Today, County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Nora Vargas announced they will propose eliminating P100.
“All individuals and families in need of public assistance should feel welcome to apply for county services without fear that their homes will be searched without cause or suspicion of wrongdoing,” said Jonathan Markovitz, a staff attorney with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. “We commend Supervisor Lawson-Remer and Board Vice Chair Vargas for their determination to end this deeply flawed policy.
“Not only does Project 100% undermine our shared values – to be treated fairly and to be presumed innocent – it is unnecessary. These unannounced, intrusive home investigations are ineffective, hurtful and a waste of taxpayer money.
“The County of San Diego should work to ensure its residents have greater access to necessary social services by removing unnecessary barriers. We urge the Board of Supervisors to end P100.”
