Rancho Cucamonga City Council Candidate David VanGorden Addresses Growing Homeless Concerns Raised by Residents and Local Businesses

Residents throughout Rancho Cucamonga are increasingly asking questions about homelessness, public safety, and the long-term impact on neighborhoods and local businesses. According to Rancho Cucamonga City Council District 2 candidate David VanGorden, these concerns deserve serious discussion before the issue grows beyond the city’s ability to manage effectively.

VanGorden, who is running against incumbent Kristine Scott and candidate DeJonae Shaw for the District 2 seat on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council, says the topic continues to surface during conversations with residents across the city.

“Residents are asking difficult but important questions,” stated David VanGorden. “Is homelessness already affecting Rancho Cucamonga? Yes. Could it become a much larger problem if left unchecked? Absolutely. Ignoring concerns does not make them disappear. Residents deserve honest conversations and practical solutions.”

VanGorden emphasized that homelessness is a complex issue involving multiple factors including economic hardship, substance abuse, mental health challenges, family breakdown, and in some cases individuals choosing to remain outside traditional support systems.

“This issue cannot be reduced to slogans,” VanGorden continued. “Some homeless individuals genuinely need assistance getting back on their feet. Others may struggle with addiction or mental illness. Residents are compassionate people, but they also want safe neighborhoods, clean shopping centers, and accountability from city leadership.”

Local business owners are also feeling the impact. Business districts and shopping centers throughout Southern California increasingly face challenges involving loitering, encampments behind retail centers, vandalism, trash accumulation, and customer discomfort. Business owners often absorb cleanup costs, private security expenses, and lost revenue when consumers avoid certain areas.

According to VanGorden, these hidden costs eventually affect everyone.

“When shopping centers or business owners are forced to spend additional money on cleanup, repairs, or security, those expenses do not simply disappear,” he said. “They can ultimately lead to higher rents for tenants, increased prices for consumers, and fewer customers willing to visit affected areas.”

VanGorden also noted that many residents are concerned about maintaining Rancho Cucamonga’s quality of life while addressing homelessness with compassion and common sense.

“Residents should not be made to feel guilty for wanting safe parks, clean sidewalks, and thriving shopping centers,” VanGorden added. “The goal should be helping people where possible while also protecting neighborhoods, families, consumers, and local businesses.”

VanGorden believes Rancho Cucamonga still has time to address the issue proactively before it escalates further.

“I believe Rancho Cucamonga residents want balanced leadership,” VanGorden concluded. “Compassion matters. Public safety matters. Supporting local businesses matters. These goals are not mutually exclusive.”

David VanGorden is a 30-year law enforcement professional and candidate for Rancho Cucamonga City Council District 2. His campaign focuses on transparency, public safety, controlled growth, infrastructure, and preserving Rancho Cucamonga’s quality of life. For more information please visit: David VanGorden for Rancho Cucamonga City Council | District 2 | 2026 Election