The County Board of Supervisors voted this week to approve loans to help the city of San Diego to buy property to house homeless San Diegans.

But it wasn't without controversy.

Local Republicans, including Supervisor Jim Desmond, argued housing alone won't solve the homelessness crisis. They say housing is only part of the solution and must be tied to drug and addiction treatment.

This week, we explain the arguments swirling around the once wonky policy debate over “housing first" — and how it has become a political wedge issue.

Plus: KPBS reporter Andrew Bowen discusses his new podcast about the past, present and future of freeways.

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