HomeMy WebLinkAbout; ; Annual Report - Reducing Homelessness - July 1, 2022 - June 31, 2023;Exhibit 3
ANNUAL REPORT
Reducing Homelessness
{city of
Carlsbad
JULY 1, 2022 -JUNE 30, 2023
During fiscal year 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.
In February 2023, the City Council approved an
updated Homelessness Action Plan, which
includes the programs and initiatives the city will
carry out over the next five years and the
measures that will be used to track progress.
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.
Summary of City-Funded Programs
66
Shelter placements
tttt
tttt tttt
ttt 565 lm
Households transitioned to permanent
housing
Unduplicated contacts
~ 45 Police calls for service 106~~
Hotel voucher
STAYS 8,322 Encampment
CLEANUPS
Vear-Over-Vear Progress
Progress FY 2021-22 to FY 2022-23
e ~u~~~
placements
Dispatched calls
for service
NEW: Employment
& Benefits Program
36 Individuals
enrolled
t~73% ~ • .,2s%
''
Unduplicated
individuals
encountered
J2_B 1 s Secured
~ employment
Of veterans entered
transitional or
permanent housing
Carlsbad's Homeless Population
Benefits c I d omp ete 1 benefits 6 enrollment
The city uses a variety of data points to measure and track progress on efforts to reduce homelessness. To
better understand who is experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad and coordinate efforts with community
partners, the city is maintaining a new comprehensive "by-name" internal list, which tracks all individuals
enrolled in homeless service programs within the City of Carlsbad. This expands upon the data included in the
earlier sections of this report by incorporating individuals who received services not funded by the city.
Summary of by-name list data
Status update-June 30, 2023*
'
• ,· 241
Unduplicated
individuals
r_ i 3.7%
,, Veterans
18 Families
37 Children
Average monthly
income:
$1,933.13 • fi
t t
34% Aged 55+
Average monthly
income:
$794.23
42% Chronically*
homeless
*Reported a permanent disability
and 7 year+ experiencing
homelessness
* The by-name list is generated directly from the Homeless Management Information System. This data is
based on those who were active on the list as of June 30, 2023.
Reducing Homelessness 2
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ___________________ _
By-name list-FY 2022-23
Total Entries:
431
Total new to Carlsbad programs
including:
197
First time enrolled in a homeless
services program in San Diego
County
234
Previously enrolled in a
homeless services program in
San Diego County
Veteran focus
• • 683 ,,
Unduplicated
individuals served
I s 0/ Unsheltered
• /0 individuals
A
Program Exits to
Housing:
6
128
Individuals found
permanent housing
through programs in the
city
City staff have been working closely with community partners to specifically support our veteran community
in accessing resources and finding places to live. From June 2022 through June 2023, the By-Name List
showed that veteran homelessness decreased by 73% in our community. The city continues to work with the
County of San Diego and other local partners to reduce veteran homelessness.
25
Veterans ~-\~
~~ ><
21
20
Individuals
15 15
13 13
10
7 7 6 7
5 6
4
3
0
Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23
Reducing Homelessness 3
Annual Progress Report: July 2022 -June 2023 ______________________ _
Point-in-Time Count*
Point-in-Time Count Unsheltered Data
The Point-in-Time Count is an unduplicated count of sheltered and unsheltered individuals
experiencing homelessness across the United States, normally conducted during the last week
in January. Since 2005, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has required all
Continuums of Care who receive federal funding to provide a bi-annual count. The San Diego
County Region typically exceeds this requirement by conducting a count every year.
160
152
140
120
100
80 78
60 60
40
21
20
19 21
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023
*The Point-in-Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions.
Data 2020 2022 2023 Change from
2022
Carlsbad sheltered
Carlsbad unsheltered
Carlsbad total
North County Coastal sheltered
North County Coastal unsheltered
North County Coastal total
Reducing Homelessness
54
94
238
383
43
75
276
469
43
60
360
423
0%
-20%
-12.70%
30%
-10%
5%
4
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 _____________________ _
City Programs 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 motel voucher and later
placed into permanent housing).
' I ; il
Households transitioned
to permanent housing1
Unduplicated contacts2
Police calls for service3
Shelter placements
Shopping carts collected
Motel voucher stays
Fiscal
Year
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2022-23
2022-23
Ql
23
35
253
247
1,542
2,548
28
21
N/A
31
31
10
Q2
15
31
269
184
2,169
1,857
29
17
37
13
13
13
Q3
12
19
309
236
2,585
1,953
39
21
48
3
3
10
Q4
12
20
324
183
2,701
1,964
14
7
17
35
35
15
YTD
62
105
749
565
8,997
8,322
110
66
102
82
44
454
1This year's data includes exits from La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter that were not available for
the previous year's data.
2Unduplicated contacts include enrollments in city-funded programs.
31n fiscal year 2022-23, Carlsbad Police officers went into the field for 8,322 homeless-related calls for service,
of which 3,754 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 4,568 were proactive
department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and enforce applicable laws.
4This number indicates unduplicated households served, as some stays overlapped fiscal quarters.
Reducing Homelessness 5
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 _____________________ _
Expenditures
The total expenditures for fiscal year 2022-23 were $4,369,169 to support the homelessness goal. This
number includes carried forward encumbrances from fiscal year 2021-22 and two mid-year allocations. A
portion of the Police Homeless Outreach Team was redeployed to respond to the Traffic Safety Emergency
and additional overtime compensation was expended towards traffic emergency activities. The expenditures
remained in the original budget source for those employees.
TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY FY 2022-23
$569,242
r $613,669
$344,027
$2,203,593 $344,217
Reducing Homelessness
■ Housing assistance
■ Shelter
Benefits and
employment
■ Outreach and case
management
■ Police Homeless
Outreach Team
■ Homeless services
■ City services
infrastructure
6
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ____________________ _
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
Areas of Focus
Homelessness is a complex issue that requires the resources, expertise and cooperation of many different
entities. The city's efforts are concentrated within three key areas it can influence and programs that will
make the biggest impact for Carlsbad. These areas comprise "what" the city is focusing on.
Shelter and
housing
Outreach and
access to services
Public safety
@ Shelter and Housing
+t 1os
Households transitioned
to permanent housing
45 ~
Hotel voucher
STAYS
Reducing Homelessness
~75
Households provided with prevention services
66
Shelter placements
7
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 __________________ _
Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing
The following chart represents the city's efforts towards increasing the deed-restricted affordable housing
available within the city. Deed-restricted affordable housing is real estate that is required to be used as
affordable housing for a period of time pursuant to a restrictive covenant.
Completed in
Existing Approved* Under construction FY 2022-23
Moderate 747 0 57 0
Low-income 1223 71 114 0
Very low-income 446 30 44 0
TOTAL 2,416 101 215 0
*Not yet under construction
Limited-Term Stay Motel Voucher Program
During FY 2022-23, 45 households were issued hotel vouchers with a total expenditure of $63,666.93. Of the
45 households assisted, 25 were able to move on to other shelter or housing following their hotel stay. At
the close of the fiscal year, 3 households were utilizing the motel voucher program and were in the process
of securing housing.
® Outreach and Access to Services
During fiscal year 2022-23, 93% of homeless persons contacted by the outreach social workers accepted
some form of clinical intervention. This includes case management, assessment, care coordination, crisis
intervention, program information, diversion and treatment planning.
93%
Accepted services
Reducing Homelessness 8
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 _____________________ _
The homeless outreach social workers provide a wide array of services in addition to clinical services.
Services accepted Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD • Information only 226 45 49 52 372
I::• Emergency shelter referral 37 71 91 37 236
~ Mail delivery 8 3 18 7 36 ~-· Transportation to services 10 7 0 11 28
' I , il Police transportation 28 9 22 15 74
Ct) Substa nee abuse treatment referrals 5 30 28 18 81
m ID assistance 7 4 23 9 43
6 Permanent or bridge housing referral 1 25 43 so 119
~ Benefits access (medical insurance,
CalFresh, employment, VA benefits, 9 38 101 19 167
etc.) • Other (appointment coordination, case 11 104 115 172 402 management, blankets, etc.) • Food assistance 3 9 7 22 41
A-Hospital transport 3 1 0 0 4
r,11 Referrals to mental & physical health 5 32 81 17 135 care
T Personal needs assistance (clothing, 5 4 8 10 27 phone, prescriptions, etc.)
• • ft Reunification travel assistance 1 8 6 3 18
TOTAL 359 390 592 442 1,783
Reducing Homelessness 9
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ____________________ _
@ Public Safety
Homeless-Related Calls for Service
During FY 2022-23, Carlsbad Police went into the field for 8,322 homeless-related calls for service, which
made up 7.5% of all calls for service between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Of those, 3,754 calls were in
response to a specific request or complaint and 4,568 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. Since then, officers have been proactive to educate and enforce
restrictions such as camping in public, trespassing and drinking in public parks.
PERCENTAGE OF CALLS FOR HOMELESS-RELATED SERVICES
7.5%
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 incidents when an individual experiencing a mental health crisis is hospitalized
for 72-hour psychiatric care after they are determined by the police to be a danger to themselves or others.
Percentage of all calls for services Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
~ Homeless-related calls for services 10% 7% 7% 6%
e Homeless-related arrests 16% 16% 14% 16% MIi
n ~~ Homeless-related citations 5% 5% 3% 5%
(t) Homeless-related mental health holds 3% 3% 5% 2%
Reducing Homelessness 10
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ____________________ _
ENCAMPMENT AND ABANDONED LITTER CLEANUP
582 di'
Cubic yards of trash removed
103 iffi
Cleanup
DAYS
Quality of Life
Encam1pment
CLEANUPS
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 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 laws provide police officers with enhanced 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 .
•
Reducing Homelessness 11
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ____________________ _
City Programs and Partnerships
The City of Carlsbad coordinates efforts and administers programs to address and reduce homelessness
within the community. The following programs and partnerships have been developed as part of the city's
Homelessness Action Plan to help those experiencing homelessness obtain housing and reduce the impacts
of homelessness on the community.
Community Resource Center
The city partners with the Community Resource Center to operate its rapid rehousing,
employment and benefits specialist and homelessness prevention contracts. These
contracts provide case management, emergency rental assistance, security deposit support,
ongoing 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 162 enrollments in its
rapid rehousing and employment and benefit programs in FY 2022-23. The center placed 47
households comprised of 64 individuals in housing during this time. 36 individuals were
enrolled in Employment and Benefits Services with 16 in the process of obtaining long-term
benefits and 13 employment positions secured. 17 households were also prevented from
falling into homelessness through homelessness prevention services and emergency rental
assistance.
Interfaith Community Services
The city partners with Interfaith Community Services to provide outreach case management,
operate the hiring/service center and provide homelessness prevention services within the
city. The current outreach and case management 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 shelter, housing, medical care, public benefits, mental health assistance,
substance use treatment and basic needs supports. During FY 2022-23, Interfaith Community
Services through the outreach and case management program engaged with 314
unduplicated clients experiencing homelessness. Interfaith Community Services also operates
the Carlsbad Service Center which provides temporary job placement through the hiring
center, housing case management and homelessness prevention services. During FY 2022-23
homelessness prevention services kept 33 households from experiencing homelessness in
Carlsbad.
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. The contract provides short-term emergency
pet boarding and emergency medical care for approximately 25 animals of persons
experiencing homelessness -free of charge -so homeless individuals can access care and
resources.
Reducing Homelessness 12
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 _______________________ _
Catholic Charities
The Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego operates the La Posada de Guadalupe men's
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. It is a priority of the city to help Catholic Charities expand the shelter to include
space for single women and families.
Women's Resource Center
The city partners with Women's Resource Center to provide domestic violence services for
Carlsbad residents. During FY 2022-23 the center assisted 147 Carlsbad residents with shelter,
hygiene kits, bus passes, food, clothing, counseling and wrap-around services.
Brother Benno Foundation
The city partners with the Brother Benno Foundation to provide emergency rental
assistance, utility assistance, motel vouchers and recovery services for people experiencing
or at risk of homelessness in the City of Carlsbad. During FY 2022-23 the organization
supported 25 households.
Alliance for Regional Solutions
The city contributes annually to the Alliance for Regional Solutions Bridge to Housing
Network. The Alliance distributes funding to North County homeless shelters including Haven
House, Operation Hope, La Posada de Guadalupe and the Interfaith Shelter Network. In
upcoming years, the Alliance will also support a new family shelter operated by Interfaith
Community Services. The city's contribution helps the shelters support operations and serve
Carlsbad residents. The city continues to rely on the shelter network to provide space for
single women and families.
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. They are
responsible for responding to and triaging any incoming cleanup requests based on health
and safety. This contract provides cleanup services 3 days per week, 52 weeks a year, often
including encampment cleanups. When encampment cleanups 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.
Reducing Homelessness 13
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ______________________ _
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.
Non-City Funded Homeless Outreach
The County of San Diego and People Assisting the Homeless each have a full-time outreach
worker dedicated to Carlsbad. The outreach worker is specially trained in working with
individuals or households with behavioral health needs. In addition, the county provides
benefits enrollment services at the Harding Community Center (bi-weekly) and at the
Carlsbad Service Center (weekly) to assist people with enrolling in MediCal, Cal Fresh and
General Relief programs.
Case Collaboration/Care 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 appreciation for the level of cohesion and collaboration that exists within the
agencies working on homelessness issues in Carlsbad.
Reducing Homelessness 14
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ______________________ _
• lessness. Homelessness Additional Collaboration akeholders in the community to r•~t• home
The city collaborates with many~: so it truly takes a village to solve . impacts all aspects of a comm uni y,
)'"San Diego e A.. CAL~:Y'!~N! HUfflJ!Jlrv ,,,
CAOL:FVOE~~~:NS AHAi RS
Alliance for . !ANOIEGOCOUNTY Regional Solutions
Connecting North County
•~ CARLSBAD ~ U11 q, 1 ~~
~1
Tri-City Medical Center
~CRC
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
--~~/ V'llaye Rnoc1atton Carhbad I rxprrirncr the 1illdQr
SAN DIEGO
Regional Task Force
on Homelessness
◄
NORTH COUNTY
TRANSIT DISTRICT
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Reducing Homelessness I 2022 June 2023 ____________________ _ Annual Progress Report: Ju y
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15
Success Stories
The following success stories are real people who were experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad and
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 Doris
Female: 61
Permanently housed: June 2023
Doris grew up in Carlsbad and graduated from Carlsbad High School. She raised her family here and her kids
are now adults. About six years ago she ended up in a domestic violence situation and had to flee her
housing. She had been staying outside since then. In a collaborative effort between the City of Carlsbad
Housing Navigator, Community Resource Center's Rapid Re-Housing Program and the Interfaith Community
Services Social Workers, she was able to find an apartment and end her time living outside. She's enrolled
with the Employment & Benefits Specialist at Community Resource Center and is working on securing long-
term disability benefits for her disabling condition. She's working on her physical health and giving back to
her community as she is able.
What worked
• The City of Carlsbad Housing Navigator worked with Doris to help her locate a unit and transition
inside.
• The Community Resource Center helped Doris with the security deposit and move-in support.
• The Interfaith Community Services Social Workers engaged Doris and helped her access furniture
for her new unit.
• The Community Resource Center continues to support her with its Employment & Benefits Program
to secure her permanent benefits.
Reducing Homelessness 16
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ______________________ _
Meet Beth
Female: 43
Permanently housed: March 2023
Beth was seeking employment and came to the Community Resource Center Employment & Benefits
Program as a referral from Interfaith Community Services. At the time Beth was sleeping outside and
working part-time at a local fast-food restaurant. She was struggling to find a home she could afford with
limited part-time hours and had nowhere to stay. Beth came to the Employment & Benefits Program looking
for something with higher pay and more hours to be able to afford a place to live. The Employment &
Benefits Specialist helped Beth update her resume, connected her to numerous job leads and prepared her
for an interview with a full-time position. After securing a new job, the program provided Beth with motel
vouchers so she could be in a better position while starting her new job. After a few weeks in a motel, Beth
had saved up enough to move into a room for rent. Since moving into the room for rent Beth has now been
promoted on two different occasions and is a shift leader.
What worked
• The Interfaith Community Services Social Workers engaged Beth and helped her connect with the
Community Resource Center Employment & Benefits Program.
• Beth worked diligently with the Employment & Benefits Specialist to obtain a better job with more
hours and higher pay.
• The Community Resource Center provided Beth with motel vouchers to provide a place to stay while
she began a new job and saved money for housing.
• The Community Resource Center helped Beth find a place to live within her budget.
Reducing Homelessness 17
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ______________________ _
Overcoming Challenges
Staff have experienced some challenges around the implementation of the City Council's goal to reduce
homelessness and its impacts on the community. Some of these include:
Limited shelter and housing resources
There is limited emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, available affordable housing and general
housing options in North County and San Diego.
Windsor Pointe
Staff have been working with the owners and management to resolve security and resident support
concerns.
Limited options 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. The Haven House shelter in
Escondido has merged with Interfaith Community Services' recuperative care program, reducing shelter beds
in the region by 49, including the majority of the available beds for single women. Staff across multiple
agencies report difficulty securing shelter options for seniors and single women.
Upcoming Work
City staff have several projects on the horizon:
• The Department of Housing & Homeless Services is continuing to provide support and monitor the
progress on the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter expansion.
• Staff will be moving forward with expending the National Opioid Settlements funding per the
recommendation of City Council.
• Staff is in the process of implementing the Encampment Resolution Funding grant in partnership with
Interfaith Community Services, Community Resource Center, La Posada de Guadalupe shelter and Whole
Person Care Clinic.
• Staff are working diligently across departments to implement a data visualization tool on the city's
website to help communicate the latest data and measures being used to track progress on the City
Council's goal.
• Staff anticipate award notifications on two grant applications; one for permanent supportive housing
services and one for a housing retention program, both through the regional Continuum of Care. If
awarded, staff will return to the City Council for acceptance of funds and approval of professional
services agreements.
Reducing Homelessness 18
Annual Progress Report: July 2022-June 2023 ______________________ _