San Diego faces pressing challenges—from skyrocketing costs and a worsening housing crisis to deep-rooted public safety struggles. But instead of solving those, we are too busy defending our families, businesses, and neighborhoods from cruel people who are causing us  harm to make money.

Monica Montgomery Steppe is here to fight for the real San Diego — the people who live, work, and build their lives here. With compassion and practical solutions, Monica is committed to protecting our communities, expanding opportunity, and creating a safer, healthier future for all of us.

Economic Opportunity for All:

Monica fights to create an economy where every working family and community member has a fair shot at success. As costs continue to rise across the country and billionaires threaten mainstreet, Monica has fought for us by:Provide more resources to increase the supply of shelters, affordable housing, and wraparound services like case management, job training, and mental health treatment.

• Establishing the County’s Small Business Procurement Program to expand contracting opportunities for local small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

• Allocating $7.6 million to hundreds of Community organizations, with major investments in arts and culture, neighborhood services and economic opportunity.

• Strengthening the County’s reserve policies to protect essential services and prepare for emergencies, economic uncertainty and federal funding cuts.

• Securing millions in grant funding to support and grow local small businesses.

• Holding the County accountable to spending more money on local small businesses, because our tax dollars should stay in San Diego as much as possible.

• Championing living wage policies and stronger workplace protections, including fair pay and safety standards for County employees, healthcare workers, and first responders.

• Advancing homebuyer assistance and renter protection programs to support families.

• Collaborating with workforce development organizations and unions to prepare residents for the jobs of tomorrow.

• Preparing our community’s youth for jobs in public service through D4’s Summer Youth Academy and year-round paid internship program.

Clean, Healthy Communities:

Monica believes clean, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods are the foundation of a thriving San Diego. As funding cuts threaten public health and safety initiatives, Monica has fought for us by:

• Launching the Safety Net Bridge Program to help families maintain access to food, healthcare and prescription medication as federal cuts and new eligibility requirements take effect.

• Investing $4.3 million in First 5 San Diego’s Healthy Development Services to support children with developmental and behavioral concerns.

• Securing $750,000 for the San Diego Food Bank and SunCoast Market Co-op to replace lost food supplies and expand access to affordable, nutritious food.

• Launching the County’s first Emergency Temporary Lodging Program, which sheltered hundreds of families displaced by the historic January 2024 floods.

• Fighting food insecurity through a comprehensive action plan and grant funding to improve access to healthy, locally grown food.

• Working to address the root causes of health problems by increasing direct services and fighting for health basics like clean water and air, and stable housing.’

• Increasing funding, beds, and services for behavioral and mental health so our community members can get help when they need it.

• Leading “Dumpster Days” and community clean-ups to keep our neighborhoods clean.

• Championing neighborhood beautification through public art and green space expansion.

• Responding to natural disasters like the January 2024 floods with urgency and compassion, including programs for emergency housing, transportation, food support, social and mental health services, and protecting residents from eviction, price gouging, and fraudulent practices in moments of need.

Tackling Housing & Homelessness:

San Diego’s housing & homelessness crises are compounding to contribute to higher cost of living and lower quality of life for all residents. While many politicians offer temporary fixes or play insider games, Monica has fought for real solutions by:Increase access to affordable healthcare, especially for underserved communities, by making Medi-Cal and other programs more accessible.

• Establishing countywide protections against predatory evictions during declared emergencies so families are not displaced when they are most vulnerable.

• Creating rental protections for seniors.

• Directing over $200 million toward affordable housing developments in District 4 and beyond.

• Championing pilot programs offering emergency housing for veterans, seniors, and other at-risk groups.

• Investing in more affordable housing projects on county land.

• Advocating for streamlined county programs that connect people to stable housing quickly and effectively, including a pilot outreach project in Lemon Grove.

• Organizing resource fairs connecting unhoused residents to vital services.

• Protecting residents against predatory lending practices.

Holistic Public Safety:

For Monica, public safety means more than responding to crime — it’s about prevention and healing. She prioritizes transparency, community-driven solutions, and policies that address the root causes of violence. As some leaders weaponize fear to increase hate crimes and political violence, Monica has fought for us by:

• Launching and continuing to support the community-led “No Shots Fired” violence interruption program, which has led to a 54% drop in non-fatal shootings in Southeastern San Diego, according to SDPD.

• Partnering with the Sheriff’s Office to expand housing and support services for individuals exiting incarceration.

• Supporting first responders and residents in preparing for fires, floods, and other natural disasters.

• Working on MTS to preserve on-the-spot payment options, which avoids criminalization of residents and tourists while collecting more fares to keep MTS stable.

• Holding the County accountable to transparent and humane practices with our Sheriff’s Office, Probation Office, Public Defender’s Office, and jails.

• Expanding the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board’s authority to investigate County employees, contractors and healthcare providers connected to deaths in custody.

• Advancing comprehensive juvenile justice reforms to increase transparency, strengthen accountability and protect young people in County detention facilities.

• Moving the County toward independent oversight by initiating a feasibility study for an Inspector General responsible for reviewing law-enforcement and detention systems.

Together, we can build a San Diego that works for everyone—where families have stable homes, neighborhoods are safe and vibrant, and economic opportunity is within reach. Monica Montgomery Steppe is ready to lead with integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to equity.

Join us in standing with Monica to protect our communities, fight for justice, and create lasting change that lifts us all.

With help from the community, we can tackle the chaos.