HomeMy WebLinkAbout; ; Semiannual Report - Reducing Homelessness - July 1 - December 31, 2022;SEMIANNUAL REPORT
Reducing Homelessness
{city of
Carlsbad
JULY 1 -DEC. 31, 2022
During the first half of FY 2022-23, the City of
Carlsbad achieved several important milestones
towards its goal of reducing homelessness and
its impacts on the community, which are
detailed in this report.
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Transitioned to permanent housing
City Council Goal
Enhance the quality of life for everyone in Carlsbad by
adopting and implementing an updated Homelessness
Response Plan that addresses the complex needs of
individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing
homelessness in a compassionate and effective
manner and reduces the impacts of homelessness on
the community.
38
Shelter placements
381
Unduplicated contacts
t] 23 Police calls for service
Hotel voucher
STA'rS 4,405 Encampment
CLEANUPS
Data by Quarter
The table below shows how data compare between each quarter, along with cumulative data since July 2022.
The same individual may have received more than one service and is reflected under each service category
that applies to them (for example, the same individual may have received both a hotel voucher and later
placed into permanent housing).
' I , :Dl:
Households transitioned
to permanent housing*
Unduplicated contacts**
Police calls for service***
Shelter placements
Encampment cleanups
Hotel voucher stays
Shopping carts collected
Fiscal
Year
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
Ql
23
37
253
247
1,542
2,548
28
21
10
33
N/A
10
N/A
31
Q2
15
28
269
184
2,169
1,857
29
17
7
28
5
13
37
13
Q3
12
309
2,585
39
16
17
48
Q4
12
324
2,701
14
17
15
17
YTD
62
65
749
381
8,997
4,405
110
38
so
61
37
23
102
44
* This year's data includes exits from La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter that were not available for
the previous year's data
**134 new individuals were contacted during Q2 who were not contacted during Ql. The year-to-date total
removes duplicate contacts.
***In FY 2022-23, Carlsbad Police officers went into the field for 4,405 homeless-related calls for service
during the first two quarters, of which 2,276 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and
2,129 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and
enforce applicable laws.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
2
Expenditures
The City Council approved $4,376,496 in general funds to support the homeless goal during fiscal year 2022-
23. This number includes carried forward encumbrances from fiscal year 2021-22 and two mid-year
a I locations.
TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES TO DATE
$2,016,050
Spent to date
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
$4,376,496
Total budget
$2,366,446
Remaining
3
SPENDING BY CATEGORY
Portable toilets
$10,264.75
Hotel vouchers /
Urban Corps
(Encampment and trash cleanup)
$47,079.50
_______ Interfaith Community $18,958.03 I
I
La Posada Shelter , , \ / ------------Services
(training and technical assistance) ',
$2,156.25
Police salaries -
$1,211,802.81
(Social workers)
$90,639.98
Community Resource Center
(Rapid rehousing, other housing assistance)
$279,268.41
Housing & Homeless
Services salaries
$327,302.06
Carlsbad's Homeless Population*
b ~v~d~San Diego
County prior to
becoming homeless
"' '~so✓ ...... ~ /0 IC Veterans
Reducing Homelessness
72% Male
Female
'
• e 100% Adult
,55%44+
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
e e 87% White
'' 13%Black
(2j 38% Disability
4
Point-in-Time Count Unsheltered data**
160
152
140
120
100 -
80 78
60 -
40
21
20
19 21
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023
*This demographic data is from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count as this information has not been provided for 2023
*The Point-in-Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COV/D-19 precautions.
Public Safety
Homeless-Related Calls for Service
During the first and second quarters of FY 2023-24, Carlsbad Police went into the field for 4,405 homeless-
related calls for service, which made up 8.5% of all calls for service between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. Of
those, 2,276 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 2,129 were proactive department-
initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and enforce applicable law. Changes to the
city's municipal code went into effect during November 2021, therefore officers have been more proactive to
educate and enforce restrictions such as camping in public, trespassing and drinking in public parks.
Reducing Homelessness 5
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
PERCENTAGE OF CALLS FOR HOMELESS-RELATED SERVICES
8.5%
Related to
homelessness
HOMELESS-RELATED STATISTICS BY CATEGORY
*These are the statistics related to the homeless population compared to the general population in Carlsbad.
Mental health holds refer to when an individual experiencing a mental health crisis is hospitalized for 72-hour
psychiatric care when they are evaluated to be a danger to themselves or others.
Percentage of all calls for services
~ Homeless-related calls for services
e Homeless-related arrests .a
n ~ Homeless-related citations
(t) Homeless-related mental health holds
SERVICES
During the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year,
88% of homeless persons contacted accepted
some form of clinical intervention. This includes
case management, assessment, care
coordination, crisis intervention, program
information, diversion and treatment planning.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
10% 7%
16% 16%
5% 5%
3% 3%
88%
Accepted services
6
The Homeless Outreach Team officers and contract social workers provide a lot of other services in addition
to clinical services.
Services accepted Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD
0 Information only 226 45 271 ~-Emergency shelter referral 37 71 108
Bl Mail delivery 8 3 11 ~-· Transportation to services 10 7 17
' I , il Police transportation 28 9 37
@ Substance abuse treatment 5 30 35
m ID assistance 7 4 11
6 Permanent or bridge housing referral 1 25 26
~ Benefits access (medical insurance, 9 38 47 CalFresh program, VA benefits, etc.) • Other (appointment coordination, 11 104 115 case management, blankets, etc.) • Food assistance 3 9 12 ,.. Hospital transport 3 1 4
-,a Referrals to mental & physical health 5 32 37 care
y Personal needs assistance (clothing, 5 4 9 phone, prescriptions, etc.)
• • 'ff Reunification travel assistance 1 8 9
TOTAL 359 390 749
Reducing Homelessness 7
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
Quality of Life
In late Sept. 2021 the City Council approved amendments to the city's municipal code to address public
safety and quality-of-life concerns related to homelessness and public spaces. These new laws became
effective Nov. 11, 2021. Changes addressed camping on public, private and open space property; obstruction
of property, trespassing and disorderly conduct; and expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol
are prohibited.
These amendments, along with other existing laws, provide police officers with adequate enforcement tools
to ensure public safety and a decent quality of life for all people in Carlsbad. Police officers will continue to
use their discretion to issue warnings and citations and make misdemeanor arrests for violations of the law.
City staff will track data to gauge how the team balances the need to build rapport with the homeless
community while holding them accountable and enforcing applicable laws .
•
Limited-Term Stay Motel Voucher Program
From July 1 through December 31, 2022, 23 households were issued a total of 141 nights in a hotel with a
total expenditure of $18,958.03. Of the 23 households assisted, 11 were able to move on to other shelter or
housing following their hotel stay.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
8
Public Outreach
The city recognizes homelessness is a top concern of the community and understands the importance of
outreach and engagement. Below is an overview of some of the outreach efforts implemented from July 1 to
Dec. 31, 2022, to help keep the community informed and engaged about the city's efforts to reduce
homelessness.
1 community presentation
3 internal focus groups
2 community newsletter updates
The Housing & Homeless Services Department partnered with the Police Department to present on a panel
about Carlsbad's homeless services efforts hosted by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad. The Housing & Homeless
Services Department also held three internal focus groups with city staff from departments whose duties
intersect with homelessness to gather feedback to help create the city's new Homelessness Action Plan.
Staff also responded to hundreds of phone calls and emails from individuals experiencing homelessness,
business owners, social service providers and members of the public.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
9
Regional Partnerships
The City of Carlsbad believes in addressing homelessness with compassion and fairness. Here is a current list
of services created to help those experiencing homelessness as well as to improve the quality of life of the
community collectively.
San Diego Humane Society
The purpose of the San Diego Humane Society contract is to provide individuals experiencing homelessness
with a safe place to temporarily board their animals when they are not able to bring them to treatment
facilities or services. Staff have found this has been a primary barrier preventing people from accessing
services. The contract provides short-term emergency boarding and emergency medical care for
approximately 25 animals of persons experiencing homelessness -free of charge -so homeless individuals
can access care and resources.
Rocket John Portable Restrooms and Handwashing Stations
The Rocket John contract provides four portable restrooms and handwashing stations and routine cleaning
and maintenance in the downtown Village. The city first added these public bathrooms back in 2017 to
combat the Hepatitis A Crisis in the homeless community. With COVID-19, the city added more restrooms
and handwashing stations to promote health, sanitation and 24/7 access to clean water to individuals living
unsheltered. One portable restroom has been removed based on community concern, so three portable
restrooms are currently being provided.
Community Resource Center
The city continues to partner with the Community Resource Center to operate its rapid rehousing and
employment and benefits contracts. The contracts provide case management, security deposit support,
rental assistance, landlord advocacy, financial education, stabilization support, referrals to higher levels of
care, benefits enrollment, job readiness support, resume building and employment connection. The
Community Resource Center had 130 enrollments in its rapid rehousing and employment and benefit
programs in the first half of FY2022-23. The center placed 28 households comprised of 42 individuals in
housing during this time.
Interfaith Community Services
Interfaith Community Services is the current outreach and case management contractor for the City of
Carlsbad's Homeless Outreach Team. Interfaith Community Services provides two licensed or master's level
clinicians and one part-time licensed program manager. They provide coverage throughout the week offering
outreach and case management in the field to individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. The
clinicians engage, assess, plan and refer individuals to resources like housing, medical care, public benefits,
mental health, substance use treatment and basic needs. During the first half of FY2022-23, Interfaith
Community Services and the Homeless Outreach Team engaged with 223 unduplicated clients experiencing
homelessness.
Reducing Homelessness 10
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
Non-City Funded Homeless Outreach
The County of San Diego and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) each have a dedicated outreach worker
in Carlsbad full-time. The outreach worker from PATH is specially trained in working with individuals or
households with behavioral health needs. In addition, the county is providing benefits enrollment at Harding
Community Center (bi-weekly) and Interfaith Service Center (weekly) to assist people enrolling in Medical,
Cal Fresh and General Relief programs.
Catholic Charities
The Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego operates the La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter in
Carlsbad. The shelter has the capacity to serve 50 single men experiencing homelessness. The city provides
funding for staff, operations, training and technical assistance.
Urban Corps
The city contracts with Urban Corps of San Diego for trash abatement, litter and encampment cleanup
related to persons experiencing homelessness. Urban Corps works very closely with the city's Public Works
Department and the Homeless Outreach Team, and they are responsible for responding and triaging any
incoming cleanup requests based on health and safety for homelessness on city property. This contract
provides clean-up services 3 days per week, 52 weeks a year, often including encampment clean-ups. When
encampment clean-ups are not needed, the team provides regular cleaning services to areas commonly
known to have abandoned trash and a high prevalence of homelessness related debris.
Case Collaboration/Case Conferencing
City staff work closely with staff from city funded programs and other partners working in homeless services.
Staff facilitate a monthly case conferencing meeting to ensure all outreach efforts are effectively
administered and coordinated, so that the most complex cases are prioritized and served. This collaboration
also provides training and resource coordination. Trainings and coordination have included: Affordable
housing training, mental health resources, senior housing options, CalAim programs, homelessness specific
housing resources, San Diego Humane Society programs and Showers of Blessings. Community partners
report gratitude for the level of cohesion and collaboration that exists within the agencies working on
homelessness issues in Carlsbad.
Veteran Focus
City staff have been working closely with community partners to specifically support our veteran community
in accessing resources and finding places to live. During the first half of FY2022-23, veteran homelessness
decreased by 53% in our community. The city is partnering with the county to reduce veteran homelessness.
Reducing Homelessness 11
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
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12
Success Stories
For each reporting period, staff will include one or more success stories of real people who were connected
to community services as a result of the city's homeless response efforts. These are their stories, which they
have given the city permission to share. Their names have been changed to protect their confidentiality.
Meet Jim
Male: 55+
Permanently housed: December 2022
Jim was living at the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter in the fall of 2022. The staff at La Posada referred him to
the Community Resource Center Rapid Re-housing Program for support in finding a place to live. He was
employed by a staffing agency and had the funds to pay his rent. The Community Resource Center helped
him get into a senior community by paying for his deposit and some limited term rental assistance. He was
then laid off by the staffing agency, and the Community Resource Center was able to help him maintain his
housing. He was enrolled with the Community Resource Center's employment and benefits specialist, who
helped him set up interviews for a new job with a higher wage. He is now doing well and continues to have
support services through the Community Resource Center.
What worked
• La Posada de Guadalupe gave Jim a place to stay so he wouldn't be sleeping outside. While he was
there, he was able to secure employment through a staffing agency.
• La Posada staff referred him to the Community Resource Center for help finding housing.
• The Community Resource Center helped Jim secure a place to live using the rapid re-housing
program.
• The Community Resource Center continued to support him with its Employment & Benefits
Program after he lost his job and needed a new one to continue paying his rent.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
13
The Richardson Family
Family of 3 siblings
Reunified with family: November 2022
A family of five, two parents and three adult children, lived out of their vehicle in the Village area. The
parents each had a disabling medical condition and the three adult children suffered from mild cognitive
disabilities. The family lived off a very minimal fixed income. The family was contacted regularly by the Police
Departments Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and the Interfaith Social Workers. They used services like
meals with Feeding All God's Children, showers at Showers of Blessings, and an occasional gas card, but
remained hesitant to referrals for housing options. The mother passed away and the father ended up
hospitalized long-term which left the siblings to fend for themselves.
HOT continued to contact the children on a regular basis, exploring options for their situation and working to
encourage them to accept services that could improve their quality of life. One of the siblings found a job to
help sustain the family but was seriously injured after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle to work. The
family eventually lost the vehicle they were living in due to mechanical issues.
In November of 2022, the lack of shelter from their vehicle led the siblings to inform HOT about an aunt on
the East Coast who they believed might be willing to help them. HOT worked with the Interfaith social worker
to explore this option. After confirming the aunt was willing to help, the siblings were temporarily housed in
a motel to facilitate family reunification. Travel arrangements were made with the assistance of a local
nonprofit social service agency, and all three siblings returned to the East Coast to live with family. Interfaith
confirmed their safe arrival.
What worked
• Local resources were able to meet basic needs for the family.
• The Homeless Outreach Team continued to interact with the family and offer support.
• When the family decided to pursue a reunification plan, the Interfaith Community Services social
worker was able to connect them with resources and help the family reunite with a relative.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
14
Overcoming Challenges
Staff have experienced some challenges around the implementation of the City Council's goal to reduce
homelessness. Some of these include:
Limited Housing Resources
There is limited emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, available affordable housing and general
housing options in North County and San Diego.
Staff Vacancies
There have been transitions and position vacancies on the Housing & Homeless Services Department,
Homeless Outreach Team and social worker team. These vacancies have caused an increase in workload on
the team. However, we remain on track with the implementation of the Homelessness Action Plan.
Limited Shelter for Women and Seniors
Outreach workers, police homeless outreach officers and city staff have experienced an influx in single
females over the age of 60 experiencing homelessness for the first time. Staff are collaborating to identify
accessible shelter and housing options for this population. General communal shelters are not always an
option due to extremely limited availability, health risks and mobility needs.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
15
Upcoming Work
City staff have several projects on the horizon:
• The Department of Housing and Homeless Services is continuing to provide support and monitor the
progress on the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter expansion.
• Staff are in the process of enhancing the city's rapid-rehousing program using funds from the new HUD
Coe grant in partnership with the Community Resource Center.
• With the approval of the City Council's FY 2023-24 operating budget, staff are working to execute
agreements for the activities identified in the Homelessness Action Plan Funding Plan.
• A partnership is being developed with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness to increase training
opportunities for Carlsbad service providers.
• Staff are collaborating across departments to identify recommended program options related to opioid
settlement funding for the City Council's consideration.
• Staff are working diligently across departments to implement a data dashboard for homeless services
within the city.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
16