HomeMy WebLinkAbout; ; Quarterly Report - Reducing Homelessness - July 1 - September 30, 2022;QUARTERLY REPORT
Reducing Homelessness
{city of
Carlsbad
JULY 1 -SEPT. 30, 2022
During the first quarter of FY 2022-23, the City of
Carlsbad achieved several important milestones
towards its goal of reducing homelessness, which are
detailed in this report.
SUMMARY
Transitioned to permanent housing
City Council Goal*
Reduce the homeless unsheltered population,
among those who want help, by 50% within five
years. Provide quarterly reports for five years or
until this goal is met, whichever comes first.
*The City Council Goal was updated
following this quarter as part of the
approved five-year strategic plan.
21
Shelter placements
247
Unduplicated contacts
Police calls for service
Hotel voucher
ST VS 2,548 Encampment
CLEANU S
Data by Quarter
The table below shows how data compares between each quarter, along with year-to-date data. Staff
adjusted some of the Ql (2021) and Q2 data to reflect additional information received since presenting the
reports. The same individual may have received more than one service and are 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).
Transitioned to permanent
housing
Fiscal
Year
2021-22
Ql
23
Q2
15
Q3
12
Q4
12
YTD
62
Unduplicated contacts*
' I , il Police calls for service**
Shelter placements
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
18
253
247
1,542
2,548
28
21
269 309
2,169 2,585
29 39
324
2,701
14
18
749
247
7,455
2,548
110
21
Encampment cleanups
Hotel voucher stays***
Shopping carts collected
10
33
N/A
8
N/A
31
7
5
6
37
16 17
17 15
48 17
50
33
37
14
102
31
* Some individuals experiencing homelessness were contacted in multiple quarters. The year-to-date total
removes duplicate contacts.
**Carlsbad Police went into the field for 2,548 calls for service in Ql {2022), of which 1,525 calls were in
response to a specific request or complaint and 1,023 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to
help carry out city goals and enforce city codes.
***This is through Nov. 15 to report on a full year of the motel voucher program. The next report will reflect
through Dec. 31.
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
2
FY 2021/22 Work Plan Progress
Work plan tasks were identified to be accomplished over various stages during the FY 2021-22. * All work plan
tasks have been completed within the identified timeline and budget with the exception of the last four
objectives listed under the enhancement of clinical services at La Posada Emergency Shelter. Those are on
track for completion in January 2023. A new work plan will be considered by the City Council after the
Homeless Response Plan is updated in early 2023.
Employment and benefits specialist Progress on track
Develop scope of work and budget for consultant services for a two-year contract
Issue RFP for contract services
Design program and informational materials
Additional homeless outreach officers and social workers Progress on track
Promote an additional sergeant to the Homeless Outreach Team
Recruit for two new Homeless Outreach Team officers
Create roles/responsibility and deployment model for enhanced Homeless Outreach
Team
Develop and provide necessary training for new Homeless Outreach Team members
Identify metrics for data collection
Partner with social workers from the County of San Diego's contracts with the North
County Homeless Pilot Program and PATH
Enhancing clinical services at La Posada Emergency Shelter Progress on track
Develop scope of work for expanded consultant services to include two licensed
clinicians and additional training for staff
Research and analyze best practice emergency shelter programs
Design new program rules, expectations and outcomes
Develop a training schedule, courses, programs, and completion timeline
Re-evaluate the program practices, as necessary
~
(0
(0
(0
(0
Limited-term Stay Emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program Progress on track
Identify and partner with hotel/motel vendors
Develop pilot program rules, policies, and expectations
Train Homeless Outreach Team Officers and social workers
Prepare public informational materials
Develop and implement a tracking system to assess program efficacy
Provide a report to the City Council (after first six months and following the 12-month
program) to determine if the program should be continued and/or modified
Develop and implement a contract with the Humane Society
Reducing Homelessness
Work Plan Timeline
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
2021
Ql
2021
Ql
2021
Ql
2021
Q2
Q2
Q2
Q3 Q4
Q3 Q4
Q3 Q4
3
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
Ql
2022
Ql
2022
Ql
2022
Ql
2022
Work plan progress continued
Community Resource Center services Progress on track
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Ql
2021 2022
Contract with the Community Resource Center 0
Develop scope of work for services 0
Two-year contract with three, one-year extensions 0
Revise policies and procedures based on lessons learned from year one 0
Create a new Housing & Homeless Services Department Progress on track Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Ql
2021 2022
Create new positions (director, housing services manager and management analyst) 0
Develop budget and purchase resources 0
Advertise, recruit, hire the new positions 0
La Posada de Guadalupe Facility Expansion Progress on track Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Ql
2021 2022
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the number of shelter 0 beds within the existing facility
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the existing facility to 0 accommodate women and families
Project HomeKey funds Progress on track
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Ql
2021 2022
Develop a list of potential projects that are eligible for Project HomeKey funding and 0 develop a specific proposal for the City Council's consideration and direction.
Pursue a HomeKey funding application, if directed by the City Council 0
*Some tasks have changed or been eliminated based on City Council direction.
Reducing Homelessness 4
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
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.
TOTAL FY22-23 BUDGET EXPENDITURES TO DATE
$952,061
Spent to date
SPENDING BY CATEGORY
Portable toilets
$4,906.99
$4,376,496
Total budget
Urban Corps
$3,424,435
Remaining
(Encampment and trash cleanup)
$18,942.00 Hotel vouchers
$11,958.30
La Posada Shelter ~ I ~ Interfaith Community Services
~ (Social workers)
{training and technical assistance)
$2,156.25
Police salaries -
$625,987.06
Reducing Homelessness
$34,840.62
~ Community Resource Center
(Rapid rehousing, other housing as.sistance)
$107,194.33
Housing & Homeless Services
salaries
$146,075.78
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 ________________________ _
5
Carlsbad's Homeless Population
e ~v~d~San Diego
County prior to
becoming homeless
~-'~so/ ~ ~ /0
...., .... Veterans
72% Male e e 87% White
'' 13%B1ack (t)
. ' . '
'
• • 100% Adult r l@ 38% Disability
,55%44+ ~
Point in Time Unsheltered data
160
152
140
Carlsbad began to manage
120
100
80 78
75
60
40
21 20
19 21
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022
*The Point in Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions. The City of Carlsbad took
over the Point in Time Count from an outside organization starting in 2017.
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 ________________________ _
6
Public Safety
Homeless-related calls for service
Carlsbad Police went into the field for 2,548 calls for service, which made up 10% of all activity between July
1 to Sept. 30, 2022. Of those, 1,525 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 1,023 were
proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city goals and enforce city codes. 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.
PERCENTAGE OF CALLS FOR HOMELESS-RELATED SERVICES
1
ela ,ed to
homelessness
HOMELESS-RELATED STATISTICS BY CATEGORY
Citations Arrests Men a hea th hold
*These are the statistics related to the homeless population compared to the general population in Carlsbad.
Mental health holds refer to when a homeless 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.
Reducing Homelessness 7
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 ________________________ _
Percentage of all calls for services Fiscal Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Year
~ 2021-22 9% 13% 10% 11%
Homeless-related calls for services
2022-23 10% -2021-22 17% 18% 16% 8%
lltQ Homeless-related arrests
2022-23 16%
n 4% 16% 18% 19% w~ 2021-22
Homeless-related citations
2022-23 5%
@ Homeless-related mental health holds
2021-22 20% 3% 9% 13%
2022-23 3%
SERVICES
This quarter 78% of people accepted some form of service intervention. This includes case management,
assessment, care coordination, crisis intervention, program information, diversion and case planning.
7 0
Accepte d services
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 ________________________ _
8
The Homeless Outreach Team officers and contract social workers provide a lot of other services in addition
to clinical services.
Services accepted Fiscal Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Year
• 2021-22 N/A 328 394 306
Information only
2022-23 226
2021-22 N/A 53 63 46 1::. Emergency shelter referral
2022-23 37
2021-22 N/A 32 15 19 ~ Mail delivery
2022-23 8
2021-22 N/A 31 17 21 ~-· Transportation to services
2022-23 10
' I , 2021-22 N/A 24 58 38
il Police transportation
2022-23 28
(t) 2021-22 N/A 17 21 1
Substance abuse treatment
2022-23 5
2021-22 N/A 15 18 13 m ID assistance
2022-23 7
6 2021-22 N/A 13 21 6
Permanent or bridge housing referral
2022-23 1
~ 2021-22 N/A 12 18 10 Benefits access (medical insurance,
CalFresh program, VA benefits, etc.) 2022-23 9
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022
9
Services accepted Fiscal
Year Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
• Other (appointment coordination 2021-22 N/A 12 96 204
blankets, etc.) '
2022-23 11
• 2021-22 N/A 11 6 8
Food assistance
2022-23 3
~ Hospital transport
2021-22 N/A 9 12 5
2022-23 3
~ Referrals to mental & physical health 2021-22 N/A 8 17 2
care 2022-23 5
y Personal needs assistance (clothing, 2021-22 N/A 5 25 5
phone, prescriptions, etc.) 2022-23 5
• • 2021-22 N/A 5 15 1
'ff Reunification travel assistance
2022-23 1
2021-22 N/A 575 796 685
TOTAL
2022-23 359
Reducing Homelessness 10
Ql Report: July-Sept. 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.
The City Council amendments 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, citations and misdemeanor arrests. 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 city laws.
Limited-term stay motel voucher pilot program annual review
As a part of establishing the amendments to the municipal code, the City Council approved a one-night Motel
Voucher Pilot Program to be able to enforce the no camping laws. Those who do participate will be
connected to services the following morning through the Homeless Outreach Team. For those who do not
want to participate in the emergency Motel Voucher Pilot Program, the city will be able to enforce the no
camping laws. In the first year of the motel voucher program, a total of 51 households were assisted for a
total expenditure of $30,911.58. Of the 51 households assisted, 36 were able to move on to other shelter,
treatment or housing. If approved, the city will continue to utilize the program and report progress to the City
Council so adjustments can be made as needed.
Reducing Homelessness 11
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
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
Sept. 30, 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 update the city's Homeless Response 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
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
12
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 improve the quality of life of the
community collectively.
Services to help individuals experiencing homelessness:
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 animal 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 the individual can
access care and resources.
Rocket John portable restrooms and handwashing stations
The Rocket John contract provides four portable restrooms and handwashing stations with 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. During 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 restroom was removed due to damage and community concern and an additional restroom
is in the process of being relocated. Based on continued need for access to bathrooms and sanitation there
continue to be three portable restrooms with adjacent handwashing stations in our community.
Community Resource Center
The city continues to partner with the Community Resource Center to operate the rapid rehousing contract.
The contract provides case management, security deposit support, rental assistance, landlord advocacy and
financial education. CRC enrolled 24 new clients to their program this quarter and placed 16 households into
permanent housing. They have also received a contract from the city to provide an employment and benefits
specialist. The specialist was also onboarded this quarter and has now started to serve clients by helping
them connect to entitlement benefits and employment opportunities.
Interfaith Community Services
Interfaith Community Services is the current outreach and case management contractor for the City of
Carlsbad. ICS 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 this quarter, Interfaith Community Services engaged with 178 unduplicated clients
experiencing homelessness.
Reducing Homelessness 13
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
North County Social Workers
The County of San Diego operates a North County Social Worker Pilot Program and has a contract to provide
behavioral health outreach through People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) in Carlsbad. Each program has a
social worker conducting outreach to people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. City staff work closely
with these programs and 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.
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 Public Works 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. The contractor has the capacity to
request additional staff for large encampment cleanups or major city events.
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.
Additional collaborations
The city collaborates with many stakeholders in the community to reduce homelessness. Homelessness
impacts all aspects of a community, so it truly takes a village to solve it.
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Reducing Homelessness
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Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
14
Success stories
Each quarter, staff include success stories of real people who were connected to community services and
housing as a result of the city's homelessness efforts. These are their stories, which they have given the city
permission to share. Their names have been changed to protect their confidentiality.
Meet Michelle
Female, age: 66
Years homeless: 4 years
Permanently housed: August 2022
In 2018, Michelle bought a new motor home she planned to permanently live in. Shortly after her travels
began, she was hit head-on by a drunk driver. The accident left her severely injured and hospitalized for quite
some time. After being discharged from the hospital, Michelle found herself homeless and living with a
traumatic brain injury and severe pain throughout her neck and spine. A County of San Diego Social Worker
connected her to disability, Cal Fresh, and referred her to the Community Resource Center (CRC). CRC
supplied her with gas cards to help look for housing options throughout the county. In August 2022, CRC was
able to connect Michelle to an independent living facility that she could call home. CRC was able to help
provide the deposit needed to obtain the housing. Michelle is now living in a shared room, and CRC is
providing her ongoing rental assistance through January 2023. Michelle is working with her case manager to
create a budget and savings plan.
What worked
• When Michelle sought food and shelter following her serious injury there were social workers
available in Carlsbad to assist her.
• The County of San Diego social worker helped Michelle enroll in entitlement benefits to increase her
income and access to food.
• Through Carlsbad's Case Conferencing collaboration, the County Social Worker was able to refer
Michelle to CRC for case management and housing assistance.
• CRC and Michelle worked together to find a stable Independent Living Home where she could stay.
• CRC utilized the Carlsbad Rapid Re-Housing Program funds to help her return to housing and
continue her path to stability.
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
15
Meet John
Male, age: 49
Years homeless: 3
Placed in motel program: May 2022
In April of 2021, John had been living homeless and jobless for over a year in the Village area. Dependence on
drugs impacted his decision-making process. The Homeless Outreach Team approached John on several
occasions until he was open to accepting help.
HOT and Interfaith social workers helped John overcome several obstacles. John went to rehab. His lifestyle
had led to the development of health issues that needed to be addressed. He also sought treatment to
address the psychological impacts. Interfaith linked John to many of the services that helped him get back on
his feet. Members of HOT and Interfaith social workers kept in regular contact with him, which held him
accountable and helped to reduce his risk of relapse and a return to homelessness.
John's journey has been difficult, but he persevered. He recently reported that he completed the
probationary period of his new full-time job and has begun to receive full benefits. He was proud to report
that his dependability and work ethic have allowed him to quickly gain increasing levels of responsibility and
that it feels good to be relied upon. He is most proud that he is now providing for himself. He knows that he
has more work to do, but he is proud of how far he has come. He thanks the Homeless Outreach Team and is
grateful for all the services he received that helped him along the way.
What worked
• After consistent engagement John was willing to accept services and worked hard to stabilize his life.
• Case Management: The Interfaith social workers helped John get placement in various programs to
address his needs and increase his potential for success.
• HOT members remained in contact with John and encouraged him.
Reducing Homelessness 16
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
Overcoming challenges
Staff have experienced some challenges around the implementation of the City Council's goal to reduce the
homeless unsheltered population. Some of these include:
Limited housing resources
There is a limited number of emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing resources in North
County and San Diego.
Staff vacancies
There has been transitions and position vacancies on the Housing & Homeless Services Department,
Homeless Outreach Team and social worker team. These transitions and vacancies have caused an increase in
workload on the team. New programs have been slower to implement due to these limitations. However, we
remain on track with implementing the work plan.
Reducing Homelessness 17
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _
Upcoming work
City staff have several projects on the horizon:
• Based on recommendation for the City Council during their March strategic planning discussions, city
staff has been working to update the city's Homeless Response Plan originally adopted in 2017. Staff will
propose an updated Homeless Response Plan to the City Council early in 2023 and will present a new
work plan for City Council consideration after City Council feedback and direction is received on the
updated Homeless Response Plan.
• The expansion of La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter is a task in the existing work plan. City staff
applied for funding through the County of San Diego Capital Emergency Solutions Grant.
• The 2023 annual Point-in-Time Count will take place during the early morning hours on Jan. 26, 2023. The
city will be hosting and organizing the process in Carlsbad. The Point-in-Time Count requires the
participation of many volunteers. City staff will share information on how to volunteer when registration
is available.
Reducing Homelessness 18
Ql Report: July-Sept. 2022 __________________________ _