El Cajon leaders voted 4-1 not to pursue a $5 million state Encampment Resolution Fund grant that would have targeted encampments near Interstate 8 and State Route 67, according to ABC 10News.

Mayor Bill Wells told the station the city initially viewed the grant as encouraging but objected to requirements tied to California's housing-first approach. The grant would have been used to address and clear encampments in the corridor.

ABC 10News reported that the city staff report also cited Encinitas as having recently declined to pursue similar funding. Other cities, including San Diego, Carlsbad and Oceanside, have used the grant program.

For Santee residents, the decision matters because homelessness policy along East County's major freeway corridors often affects neighboring cities, service providers and regional public safety discussions. The issue is likely to remain active as cities weigh funding against policy requirements.