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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-23; City Council; 05; Homelessness Action Plan Fiscal Year 2025-26 Semi-Annual Report and 2026 Point-in-Time Count DataCA Review CDS Meeting Date: To: From: Staff Contact: mandy.mills@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2907 Chris Shilling, Homeless Services Manager chris.shilling@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2284 Subject: 2026 Point-in-Time Count Data All Recommended Action Receive a report on the semi-annual Homelessness Action Plan data and the latest 2026 Point- in-Time Count results. Executive Summary This report provides an update on the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and its effects on the community, which are top priorities for the City Council. The city continues to make steady progress toward the City Council’s homelessness goal, implementing the actions in the City Council-approved Homelessness Action Plan. This report presents the semi-annual data covering the period from July 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025, along with the results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count of the local homeless population. Highlights for the reporting period include: •74 people experiencing homelessness found housing through city-funded programs •A 23% increase in people served with prevention assistance •A 31% decrease in Fire Department calls for service •A 49% decrease in dispatched police calls for service However, among those experiencing homelessness, recent trends also show a slight increase in people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad for the first time — indicating a shift in who is becoming homeless, not an overall increase in the total population. The semi-annual report and the annual Point-in-Time Count in tandem provide multiple data points that allow for a broad assessment of the city’s progress in its efforts to help people experiencing homelessness. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 1 of 34 Explanation & Analysis Background The City Council has prioritized homelessness as one of its top city goals: •In March 2021, the City Council established a priority goal for fiscal year 2021-22 of reducing the unsheltered homeless population in Carlsbad. •The City Council then included an updated goal to reduce homelessness and its impacts on the community in the city’s five-year Strategic Plan. •In February 2023, the City Council approved an updated Homelessness Action Plan, which includes a comprehensive package of strategies and initiatives for the city to carry out over the next five years to support this effort. City staff present periodic reports to keep the City Council and the community updated on the city’s efforts to reach the city’s goal, using multiple measurements to evaluate effectiveness. In these updates, staff provide information on the number of people in Carlsbad experiencing homelessness, performance metrics and outcomes, and updates on the Homelessness Action Plan and program expenses. These updates provide the City Council and the community with an opportunity to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the city’s homelessness initiatives and discuss any potential concerns and potential adjustments. Providing annual data for the previous fiscal year along with the draft upcoming annual Homelessness Action Plan Funding Plan allows for potential funding adjustments to be made based on changes or trends identified within the data. Semi-annual report This update provides the semi-annual data for July 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025. The full report is provided as Exhibit 1. Report highlights for city-funded programs •Provided services to 505 unduplicated persons experiencing homelessness. •Helped transition 74 people into permanent housing. •Provided rental assistance and housing stability services to 47 people who were previously homeless. •Transitioned 195 people into temporary housing. •Helped 89 people enter detox and substance abuse treatment programs. •Provided homelessness prevention assistance to 74 individuals compared to 57 individuals during the same period the previous year, a 23% increase. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 2 of 34 •The data show continued improvements in reducing the impacts of homelessness on the community when comparing the same period from the last two fiscal years. o The Police Department reported a 49% decline in dispatched calls for service relating to homelessness. Dispatched calls for service include times a community member calls the Police Department to report an issue related to homelessness. It does not include proactive calls for service, when a police officer initiates an interaction without a community member calling. There were 656 dispatched calls for service during the first six months of fiscal year 2025-26, compared to 1,289 dispatched calls for service during the same period the previous fiscal year. o The Fire Department reported a 31% decline in calls for service relating to homelessness. There were a total of 275 calls for service related to homelessness during the first six months of the fiscal year compared to 396 calls for service during the same period the previous fiscal year. This is 4.5% of total Fire Department incidents compared to 6.5% the previous year. Of the Fire Department calls related to homelessness, 180 resulted in a transport to the hospital, compared to 201 the same period the previous fiscal year. By-name list data To better understand who is experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad and coordinate efforts with community partners, the city maintains a comprehensive database that lists by name all individuals who are enrolled in any homeless service programs operating in the city. This list includes all homeless-dedicated programs and is not limited to programs funded directly by the city. The list is used during case conferencing meetings to help the city better coordinate the efforts of all partners. Data from the list also provides additional insight into the scope of homelessness in Carlsbad. Adopting a by-name list has been a transition for all partners, and city staff continue to streamline processes for using the data. Carlsbad was the first jurisdiction in the county to use a citywide by-name list generated from the county’s Homeless Management Information System enrollment data. Some other cities are now in various stages of adopting this or a similar practice. Many of the city’s community partners have not historically used the system as the main database for their programs, so staff have made improving the quality and timeliness of the system’s data an ongoing point of emphasis. The better the community partners have become at ensuring all people experiencing homelessness in the city have an up-to-date record in the Homeless Management Information System, the better the by-name list has been as a coordination and data tracking tool. The list is only used internally and is not publicly available to protect confidentiality. Summary of the data from the by-name list •All programs operating in Carlsbad provided services to 521 unduplicated individuals experiencing homelessness. This is higher than the 505 unduplicated clients served by City of Carlsbad-administered and contracted programs because it also includes those who were provided services funded by other sources, such as the County of San Diego social worker in Carlsbad, the People Assisting the Homeless behavioral health outreach worker and the YMCA transitional age youth program. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 3 of 34 •The La Posada de Guadalupe shelter provided shelter to 122 unduplicated individuals experiencing homelessness. •75 individuals transitioned into permanent housing with the support of one or more programs in Carlsbad. This is more than the 74 unduplicated clients who transitioned to permanent housing with the help of Carlsbad funded programs because this total includes services funded by other sources such as the County of San Diego social worker and the People Assisting the Homeless behavioral health outreach worker. •160 people who became homeless in Carlsbad during this period were new to the Homeless Management Information System, with no previous enrollments in a homeless services program. •Of the 521 unduplicated individuals served by programs operating in Carlsbad: o 4%, or 27 individuals, were veterans. o 32% (194) were seniors over the age of 55, of which 47% did not report any income. Of those who reported having income, the median income was $14,472 per year. o Overall, 10% of the individuals were under the age of 18. There were 38 families with 58 children. Of the 38 families, 30 families reported having income with the median income being $29,137 per year. o 26 of the people served were between the ages of 18 and 24. o 39%, or 238 people, were considered chronically homeless, meaning they reported experiencing homelessness for a year or longer with a qualifying disability. 58% of these individuals did not report any income. Of those who reported having income, the median income was $14,400 per year. Encampment Resolution Funding data The city has received three short-term state grants to help people experiencing homelessness in encampments. These grants provide services and support to address immediate needs and help people move toward safe, stable housing. Carlsbad Village area grant The city continued efforts targeting the Village area around City Hall, Pine Park and Holiday Park. Since the program started in January 2024 it has: •Served 465 unduplicated people •Helped 135 people enter temporary shelter •Transitioned 77 people into permanent housing A number of additional people remain engaged with social workers and are working on housing plans to end their homelessness. This grant will end June 14, 2027. City staff intend to apply for a new grant to help people experiencing homelessness in encampments in the downtown area and adds the transit hub and primary beach access points. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 4 of 34 State Route 78 joint program with Oceanside The city launched a partnership with the City of Oceanside in April 2025. The grant addresses homelessness along state Route 78 and the Buena Vista Creek, dividing the area into multiple encampment zones. The first zone was along the Buena Vista Creek adjacent to College Boulevard and closed in July 2025. The program has achieved the following results: • 126 unduplicated people served • 75 moved into permanent housing • The first encampment continues to remain clear and has not been repopulated (This data may also include people experiencing homelessness in Oceanside because of the joint nature of the project, so it is not included in the total city numbers provided above.) Vehicle Homeless Outreach Program grant The city started its Vehicle Homeless Outreach Program in the Village, Barrio and beach areas in June 2025. The results since then include: • 49 unduplicated people have been served • 6 people accessed interim housing • 14 have transitioned into permanent housing This grant will end Oct. 4, 2028. City staff intend to apply for a new grant that builds on the success of our vehicle outreach program. It will extend to two newly documented vehicle encampments and to additional new vehicle households in the existing zone. 2026 Point-in-Time Count data The Point-in-Time Count is conducted annually to collect an unduplicated count of sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the United States. The count is conducted over a four-hour period in the early morning to collect data on homelessness in the region. This year the count was conducted on Jan. 29, 2026. The annual count is just one data source to gauge the year-over-year trends and approximate the number of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. While it cannot provide a complete picture on how many people experience homelessness in Carlsbad throughout the year, it does provide a snapshot of the minimum number of homeless persons there are in Carlsbad on a given day. The 2026 Point-in-Time Count data, which was released May 1, 2026, is provided as Exhibit 2. Over the past three years, the Point-in-Time Count numbers have shown an average of 108 unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. This year that number was 110, compared to 101 in 2025 and 112 in 2024. There was also a 41% decrease in people counted living in vehicles. 36 people were counted living in vehicles in Carlsbad in 2026 compared to 61 people counted last year. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 5 of 34 The following chart displays pertinent information for Carlsbad from the 2026 count. 2026 Point-in-Time Count Data 2024 2025 2026 2024 to 2025 to Carlsbad sheltered* 38 42 61 11% 45% Carlsbad unsheltered 112 101 110 -10% 8.9% Carlsbad total 150 143 171 -5% 19.5% North County coastal sheltered 230 259 311 13% 20% North County coastal unsheltered 596 510 536 -14% 5% North County coastal total 826 769 847 -7% 10% San Diego County region sheltered 4,495 4,191 4,695 -7% 12% San Diego County region unsheltered 6,110 5,714 5,108 -6% -11% San Diego County region total 10,605 9,905 9,803 -7% -1% * The number of sheltered homeless persons in Carlsbad only counts 50 beds at the La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter that are available for homeless men, because 50 of the 100 beds are restricted for farmworkers, as required by the state funding that was received when the shelter was developed. Additional context • The Point-in-Time Count is one data source to gauge the year-over-year trends and provides a snapshot of the minimum number of homeless persons there are in Carlsbad on a given day. The By-Name List also provides data trends for the approximate number of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad during specific points in time. We can track increases and decreases throughout the year and year over year. • The North County overall area experienced a 2.6% decrease in the unsheltered population from 2025 to 2026. The North County region, including inland areas, accounts for approximately 18% of the homeless population in San Diego County for the 2026 count. • While Carlsbad makes up approximately 3.5% of the region’s population, it has less than 2.2% of the region’s unsheltered population. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 6 of 34 • Carlsbad makes up approximately 16% of North County’s population, but Carlsbad’s unsheltered population makes up just 11% of the total North County overall unsheltered population. While the Point-in-Time Count data is useful to point out year-over-year regional trends, it only provides data from one day, which may or may not accurately reflect the size of the city’s homeless population over a sustained period of time. For this reason, the city does not rely solely on this data point to measure progress toward the City Council’s goal of reducing homelessness in Carlsbad. Staff will continue to report on a variety of data points in alignment with the Homelessness Action Plan to inform the City Council and the public about the progress the city is making toward its goal to reduce homelessness in Carlsbad. Fiscal Analysis An overview of semi-annual Fiscal Year 2025-2026 spending associated with the homelessness goal is included in the attached report, Exhibit 1. Next Steps Staff will present the next semi-annual report, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026, to the City Council in late fall 2026. Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report on the annual homelessness data is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or the CEQA Guidelines. Exhibits 1. FY 2025-26 Semi-Annual Homelessness Action Progress Report 2. 2026 Point-in-Time Count data June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 7 of 34 REDUCING HOMELESSNESS SEMI-ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT July 1 – Dec. 31, 2025 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. During the first half of fiscal year 2026 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. 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 Exhibit 1 June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 8 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ The city uses a variety of data points to measure and track progress on efforts to reduce homelessness. The data captured below is a summary from the Homeless Management Information System of clients enrolled in services provided in the city during the time period of July 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. People Experiencing Homelessness in Carlsbad June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 9 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ POINT-IN-TIME COUNT UNSHELTERED DATA The Point-in-Time Count is an unduplicated count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness across the United States, normally conducted during the last week in January.1 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. The last Point-in-Time count was conducted in January 2026. 2026 Point-in-Time Count Data 2024 2025 2026 Change from 2024 to 2025 Change from 2025 to 2026 Carlsbad sheltered 38 42 61 11% 45% Carlsbad unsheltered 112 101 110 -10% 8.9% Carlsbad total 150 143 171 -5% 19.5% North County coastal sheltered 230 259 311 13% 20% North County coastal unsheltered 596 510 536 -14% 5% North County coastal total 826 769 847 -7% 10% San Diego County region sheltered 4,495 4,191 4,695 -7% 12% 6,110 5,714 5,108 -6% -11% San Diego County region total 10,605 9,905 9,803 -7% -1% 1 National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2024, October 11). What is a Point-in-Time Count? - National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/resources/policy-information/what-is-a-point-in-time-count/ 21 62 78 19 21 41 101 152 102 94 75 60 112 101 110 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Carlsbad Unsheltered Point-in-Time Count Point-in-Time Count June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 10 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ The table below shows how data compare between each quarter, along with cumulative data since July 2022. The same person may have received more than one service and is reflected under each service category that applies to them (for example, the same person may have received both a motel voucher and later placed into permanent housing). Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Households transitioned 2022-23 35 31 19 20 105 2023-24 14 23 22 30 89 2024-25 49 33 28 38 148 2025-26 28 46 74 Total persons 1 2022-23 247 184 236 183 565 2023-24 266 234 317 352 601 2024-25 290 242 339 387 669 2025-26 363 462 604 Police calls for service2 2022-23 2,548 1,857 1,953 1,964 8,322 New shelter placements 2022-23 21 17 21 7 66 Shopping carts collected 2022-23 31 13 3 35 82 2023-24 73 53 64 71 261 2024-25 41 60 9 8 118 2025-26 19 12 31 People served with otel voucher3 2022-23 10 13 10 15 48 1Total persons receiving services include the total number of people enrolled in a city-funded program during the time period of this report. Annual and YTD numbers are deduplicated for individuals served over multiple quarters. 2Carlsbad Police officers went into the field for 1,156 homeless-related calls for service during the first half of fiscal year 2026, of which 656 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 500 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and enforce applicable laws. 3These numbers are unduplicated, as some stays overlapped fiscal quarters. FY2024-25 transitioned to reporting individuals instead of households to be consistent with other metrics reported on homelessness. City Programs Data by Quarter June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 11 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ The total expenditures for the first half of fiscal year 2025-26 to support the homelessness goal were $4,290,263. TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY FY 2025-26 TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES BY FUNDING SOURCE FY 2025-26 $1,493,031 $441,730 $116,485 $599,917 $1,149,091 $446,339 $43,670 Housing assistance Shelter Benefits and employment Outreach and case management Police Homeless Outreach Team Homeless services City services infrastructure Expenditures June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 12 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Homelessness in the United States is a complex issue influenced by many factors. Finding solutions require 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: shelter and housing, outreach and access to services, and public safety June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 13 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Shelter and Housing PERMANENT HOUSING City-funded programs transitioned 74 people into permanent housing. Many of these placements were assisted by multiple programs both city and non-city funded. In addition to city-funded programs, non-city funded programs housed one additional individual for a total of 75 people moving from homelessness in Carlsbad to permanent housing during the first half of fiscal year 2025-26. PREVENTION Limited funds are available from the Community Development Block Grant and the General Fund and the general fund to assist households at risk of entering homelessness. During the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, Interfaith Community Services, Community Resource Center, and Brother Benno’s utilized $46,626 in funding to prevent 74 people from entering homelessness. LIMITED TERM HOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM During the reporting period, 26 households, including 31 people, utilized the homeless services and police department hotel voucher program. Out of the 26 households, the homeless services motel voucher program served 12 throughout the first half of the year, connecting 10 of them to temporary or permanent placements following their stay. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 14 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Community Resource Center The city partners with the Community Resource Center for a number of services. Under Shelter and Housing, the city contracts for rapid re-housing, supportive permanent housing services and homelessness prevention services. These contracts provide case management, emergency rental assistance, security deposit support, ongoing rental assistance, landlord advocacy, financial education, stabilization support, and referrals to higher levels of care. The Continuum of Care rapid re-housing contract served 65 people during the first half of FY2025-26 supporting those already in housing with stabilization as well as enrolling 20 new households (24 individuals) and helping 7 people secure a place to live during the first half of the fiscal year. The remaining households were continuing to locate a place to live at the close of this reporting period. The Continuum of Care permanent supportive housing program is a joint program of the City of Carlsbad and Community Resource Center utilizing HUD funding to provide supportive services through the Community Resource Center. The program served 25 people in the first half of the fiscal year. The Encampment Resolution Funding provides rapid re-housing assistance for those living in the encampment areas in Carlsbad Village, along the State Route 78 corridor and the vehicle homeless outreach program to support them in obtaining and stabilizing in permanent housing. Since launching in January of 2024, the program serving people in Carlsbad Village has provided services to 465 people, supporting 135 people with interim housing and 77 in finding a permanent place to live. As of Dec. 31, 2025, the ERF-3-R project with Oceanside and Carlsbad providing encampment resolution along the 78 corridor had served 126 people and helped 75 people find permanent housing. The Vehicular Homelessness Outreach Program funded by ERF-3-R served 49 people as of Dec. 31, 2025. The project had supported 6 individuals with interim housing and had permanently housed 14 people. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded emergency rental assistance program through Community Resource Center supported 3 people with rent and utilities payments to prevent them from losing their home. 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, infrastructure improvement and supplies. Funding is provided through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation and the State Encampment Resolution Funding for Carlsbad Village and the 78 corridor. Catholic Charities provided shelter to 122 individuals during the first half of FY2025-26. The city has continued June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 15 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Interfaith Community Services The city partners with Interfaith Community Services for a number of services. Under Shelter and Housing, the city contracts for homelessness prevention services within the city. CDBG funds for emergency rental assistance provided 16 individuals with rental assistance to prevent them from entering homelessness in Carlsbad. Women’s Resource Center The city partners with Women’s Resource Center to provide domestic violence services for Carlsbad residents. The organization assists with shelter, hygiene kits, bus passes, food, clothing, counseling and wrap-around services. During the first half of the fiscal year, Women’s Resource Center provided services to thirty-eight (38) people from Carlsbad. 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 the first half of FY2025-26 the organization supported 27 rental assistance and 28 people with utility assistance to prevent them from losing their homes. Alliance for Regional Solutions The city contributes $40,000 annually from the Housing Trust Fund 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, Interfaith Family Shelter and the Interfaith Shelter Network. 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. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 16 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Interfaith Community Services – Outreach Contracts The city partners with Interfaith Community Services for a number of services. Under Outreach and Access to Services, the city contracts with Interfaith Community Services to provide outreach and case management. The Homeless Outreach Team case management contract provides two licensed or master’s level clinicians and one part-time licensed program manager. The ERF-2-R Carlsbad Village contract provides two outreach specialists in the encampment area. The ERF-3-R Vehicular Homeless Outreach Program contract provides two outreach social workers and one peer support specialist. The final contract for outreach is the Substance Use Outreach and Education contract that provides one substance use disorder counselor to provide outreach and connection to treatment in the community. The substance use outreach program assisted 86 people in connecting to substance use treatment or withdrawal management programs during the first half of the year. This contract is funded by opioid settlement funds. These programs provide outreach and case management in the field to people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. The clinicians engage, assess, plan and refer to resources like shelter, housing, medical care, public benefits, mental health assistance, substance use treatment, and basic needs supports. This is often the beginning phase of a person’s exit from homelessness. Securing housing is often a long, complex process that is impacted by many Outreach and Access to Services June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 17 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED Services accepted Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Case management sessions 49 267 316 Emergency shelter referral 11 38 49 Mail delivery 1 1 2 Transportation to services 3 5 8 Police transportation 0 0 0 Substance abuse treatment 6 10 16 Document assistance (ID, birth certificates, etc.) 2 7 9 Permanent or bridge housing referral 4 15 19 (medical insurance, CalFresh, 3 4 7 Information only 29 22 51 Food assistance 4 4 8 Hospital transport 0 0 0 Referrals to mental & physical health care 4 24 28 Personal needs assistance (clothing, phone, prescriptions, etc.) 5 18 23 Reunification travel assistance 3 2 5 Other (appointment coordination, blankets, etc.) 14 39 53 TOTAL June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 18 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Community Resource Center The city partners with the Community Resource Center to operate employment and benefits specialist services. This contract supports households with benefits enrollment, job readiness support, resume building, and employment connections. The employment & benefits program supports households in accessing benefits and obtaining employment. This contract provides funding for one (1) FTE employment and benefits specialist. This position experienced a vacancy during part of this reporting period. Thirty (30) people received services during the first half of the year. Whole Person Care Clinic The city partners with Whole Person Care Clinic to provide medical services for the ERF-2-R Carlsbad Village and ERF-3-R 78 Corridor areas. Whole Person Care Clinic provides medical services in the encampment areas five days per week. These contracts began providing services in January 2024 for ERF-2-R and April 2025 for ERF-3-R through the encampment resolution funding. Medical providers provide wound care, disease diagnosis, prescription assistance, blood pressure monitoring and other medical services in the field. They are also able to refer for follow-up testing and care. This contract has been able to provide care in the field which alleviates some pressure on the Fire Department for emergency calls for service. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 19 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Public Safety HOMELESS-RELATED CALLS FOR SERVICE During the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, Carlsbad Police went into the field for 1,156 homeless-related calls for service, which made up 2.16% of all calls for service. Of those, 656 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 500 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and enforce applicable law. PERCENTAGE OF CALLS FOR HOMELESS-RELATED SERVICES HOMELESS-RELATED STATISTICS BY CATEGORY *These are 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 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Homeless-related calls for services 3% 1% 2.16% Homeless-related arrests 12% 8% 10.18% Homeless-related citations 4% 6% 4.81% Homeless-related mental health holds 8% 2% 5.13% 2.16% Related to homelessness June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 20 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ CARLSBAD FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSES Fire department calls related to homelessness Calls for service 396 340 275 Hospital transports 201 244 180 Percentage of all calls for service 6.3% 5.9% 4.5% CITY SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE Urban Corps The city contracts with Urban Corps of San Diego for trash abatement, litter and encampment cleanup related to people 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 to triage any incoming cleanup requests based on health and safety. This contract provides cleanup services 3 days per week, 52 weeks a year. During the first half of FY2025-26, Urban Corps completed 41 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. Rocket John’s Portable Restrooms The City of Carlsbad has a contract with Rocket John to provide restrooms and handwashing stations and routine cleaning and maintenance in Carlsbad. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 21 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ CARLSBAD VILLAGE The City of Carlsbad applied for and received $2,358,408.94 from the State of California to focus outreach and housing services on the Carlsbad Village area from July 1, 2023 through June 14, 2027. ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 22 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ CARLSBAD/OCEANSIDE STATE ROUTE 78 CORRIDOR The City of Carlsbad in partnership with the City of Oceanside applied for and received $11,398,466.52 from the State of California to focus outreach, medical, substance use, mental health and housing services along the State Route 78 corridor through April 18, 2028. The entire grant amount will be spent in the grant area, with approximately $5.3 million contracted by the City of Carlsbad. This project is broken up into multiple zones along the 78 corridor. The first zone encompassed the area east of College blvd. along the Buena Vista Creek and successfully transitioned 59 individuals into housing. The project has now completed multiple zones within the encampment area. As of Dec. 31, 2025 the project had served 126 people and had supported 75 people in moving into permanent housing. The project continues to provide stabilization support to those in housing through the grant and is continuing to do work in the remaining zones to assist people into housing. ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 23 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ VEHICLE HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM The City of Carlsbad applied for and received $2,994,442.71 from the State of California to focus on outreach and housing services for people living in vehicles in the Carlsbad Village area through Oct. 14, 2028. This grant was approved by the City Council in 2025 and was fully staffed by June of 2025. People who are living in their vehicles often have different needs than people living in shelters or on the street. Tailoring the City’s response to homelessness makes for more effective programs that can quickly help people. The Vehicular Homelessness Outreach Program is a joint effort between the City of Carlsbad, Community Resource Center and Interfaith Community Services. Bi-weekly care conferencing meetings are held amongst all the service providers working to help those in their vehicles find a place to live. The outreach team with Interfaith Community Services focuses on case management, document procurement, budgeting, goal setting and removing barriers to finding housing. The CRC housing team focuses on locating housing options and providing rapid re-housing rental assistance as well as stabilization case management. The City of Carlsbad is the administrator of the grant and provides oversight of the grant activities and coordination. As of Dec. 31, 2025 the project had assisted 49 people, 14 of whom entered permanent housing and 6 were assisted with a temporary place to stay. At the end of the reporting period there were 31 people enrolled and continuing to work on their housing plan. ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 24 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ 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. 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 Carlsbad collaboration meeting, a monthly case conferencing meeting, and bi-monthly case conferencing meetings for the ERF grants to ensure all outreach efforts are effectively administered and coordinated. This ensures that the most complex cases are prioritized and served. The Carlsbad collaboration meeting provides training and resource coordination. Trainings and coordination have included: affordable housing training, shared housing, mental health resources, domestic violence resources, substance abuse treatment programs, employment and educational services, basic CPR & AED training in coordination with the Carlsbad Fire Department and many other topics. The case conferencing meetings are attended by grant partners and direct service providers within Carlsbad that are a part of the Homeless Management Information System so that coordination of the most acute cases can be supported effectively by all participating providers. Community partners report appreciation for the level of cohesion and collaboration that exists within the agencies working on homelessness issues in Carlsbad. By-Name List To better understand homelessness in Carlsbad and coordinate efforts, the city maintains a comprehensive list of all individuals enrolled in homeless services programs within the city. The list is generated directly from the Homeless Management Information System and is used by the city to coordinate the work of all partners providing homeless services in Carlsbad. The list had 521 unique individuals experiencing homelessness enrolled in services during the first half of the fiscal year which does not include those already in housing or those in housing continuing to receive stabilization services. This number includes enrollments in all city- funded or administered programs and non-city funded programs (County of San Diego, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and the YMCA Transitional Age Youth program). During the year, one hundred and sixty (160) individuals entered the list for the first time who had not previously been enrolled in any homeless services program within the San Diego June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 25 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Faith Community Collaboration Collaboration with the faith community was identified as an action item in the Homelessness Action Plan. Meetings between Housing & Homeless Services and city-wide faith-based organizations started in September 2025. So far, the meetings have served to connect individuals and organizations working to provide services to people experiencing homelessness and facilitated new collaborations. Learning how organizations in other locations handle challenges also serve as inspiration for new solutions. Additional Collaboration 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. June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 26 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ The following success stories are from real people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad who have been 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. Names and details have been changed to protect confidentiality and privacy. Meet Sandy Sandy found herself forced to live in her car after a sudden job loss. As it was the first time in her life she had been in this situation, and she didn’t know where to turn. She says it was a new friend in Carlsbad who convinced her to reach out for help. After numerous dead ends, she connected with staff at Interfaith and Community Resource Center through the Vehicular Homelessness Outreach Program. Staff at Community Resource Center were able to assess Sandy’s situation and identify which programs could help her. They quickly referred her to the Vehicular Homeless Outreach Program. This temporary assistance program connected her with a housing coordinator who helped her find some living options and financial assistance with a security deposit. Sandy stayed determined through it all. In her own words: “I’ve always worked, and I was able to work, so I wanted to work.” She found a new full-time position in September 2025, just a little over two months after she had suddenly lost her previous job. When Sandy’s housing coordinator found her an open apartment, Sandy toured the unit and applied on the spot. She was able to move in a week later. Sandy was emotional as she recalled the support she’d received from her case management team. “They were there for me through everything. When I moved in, they helped me. They even had a car full of things I would need for the apartment. It was just really nice.” Within a few months, Sandy went from living in her car to being in a “really, really safe” community where she could walk her dog and connect with her neighbors. “I’ve worked my whole life. It’s really important for people to understand this can happen to anyone,” Sandy adds. With a little bit of help, Sandy was quickly able to bounce back from an unexpected job loss. She is currently working full-time in the Carlsbad area. Sandy says she is “incredibly grateful” for the people and programs who were able to help. What worked • Community Resource Center was able to quickly identify the program that was the best fit for Sandy and get her enrolled • Case Management took a personal approach. Sandy was highly motivated to find a new job and a safe place to live. Sandy’s case manager started by supporting the work Sandy was already doing for herself. From there, they built a strong connection which stayed steady throughout the entire process. • Housing Navigators found quality housing options that she’d be able to sustain and presented them to Sandy promptly June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 27 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Meet Brian Brian was referred to Community Resource Center through outreach and stayed at La Posada on and off between December 2024 and November 2025. After exiting La Posada, his seasonal employment ended, and he began living in his car. Even as he was struggling in a transition period, Brian remained consistently engaged with his CRC case manager. With support from his case manager and the team at CRC, Brian got busy looking for jobs, improving his credit, and visiting apartments. In December 2025, Brian was able to land a new job as a commercially licensed Class A Driver. He was also able to find a place to live close to his workplace, which cuts down on commuting costs. Brian is currently staying focused on maintaining his job and a stable home life. What worked • Case Management stayed in contact with Brian and helped support him through a transitional period in his life • La Posada provided shelter to Brian as part of his stabilization process June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 28 of 34 Reducing Homelessness Semi-annual Progress Report: July – December 2025________________________________________ Funding reductions and uncertainty The government shutdowns and changes to the HUD Continuum of Care program have created a significant amount of uncertainty about the future of homeless services programs and other basic needs support programs in the community. Two HUD grants will be retained for the upcoming fiscal year, but it is unclear if they will be renewed beyond that. City staff will explore grant applications to what resources are available. New to the system From fiscal year 2023-24 to fiscal year 2024-25 there was a 36% increase in people who experienced homelessness in Carlsbad being new to the Homeless Management Information System, with no previous enrollments in a homeless services program. This indicates an increase in people unable to maintain housing. City staff have completed the procurement process for the new Prevention and Diversion Program which will launch on July 1, 2026. This will be a centralized location for people to access support to retain their housing or quickly divert from homelessness. The city is also part of the Diversion Collective which is a regionwide flexible funding pool intended to support diversion activities. This one-time funding was provided by the County of San Diego, San Diego Foundation, Prebys Foundation, Cushman Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation, and the City of San Diego. The San Diego Housing Commission will administer the funding and contract with the city. Limited shelter and housing resources There remains limited emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, senior housing, and affordable housing for extremely low-income households in North County and San Diego. Staff continue to explore additional options and promote shared housing opportunities. Limited options for women and seniors Staff are collaborating to identify accessible shelter and housing options for seniors, women and families. General communal shelters are not always an option due to extremely limited availability, restrictions on having children present, health conditions, safety concerns, and mobility needs. Staff across multiple agencies report difficulty securing shelter options for seniors and single women. City staff have several projects on the horizon: • Applying for continued funding for identified needs within the city through the state encampment resolution program • Implementing an expanded Substance Use Outreach and Education contract with Interfaith Community Services to provide support to students and families in partnership with the Carlsbad Police Department’s GUIDE program for the Carlsbad Unified School District • Implementing a system for the Fire Department to refer to the street medicine team and substance use outreach counselor • Staff continues to work with Catholic Charities and Housing and Community Development to fully utilize capacity at La Posada de Guadalupe Updates and Challenges Upcoming Work June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 29 of 34 5 0 3 12 V E T E R A N S PERSONS IN FAMILIES 4 18 TAY (18-24) S E N I O R S( 5 5 + ) 33%C H R O N I C H O M E L E S S T O TA L S H E LT E R E D 61 T O TA LC O U N T171 110 T O TA L U N S H E LT E R E D V E T E R A N S PERSONS IN FAMILIES 0 53 TAY (18-24) S E N I O R S( 5 5 + ) C H R O N I C H O M E L E S S41% O N C E E A C H Y E A R , H U N D R E D S O F V O L U N T E E R S S P A N T H E C O U N T Y T O L O C A T E A N D C O U N T O U R N E I G H B O R S L I V I N G W I T H O U T P E R M A N E N T S H E L T E R . T H I S D A T A I S A C R U C I A L C O M P O N E N T T O O U R A B I L I T Y T O R E D U C E A N D E N D H O M E L E S S N E S S I N S A N D I E G O . City-wide BreakdownCARLSBAD, CA 2026 Carlsbad 61 0 0 61 42 45.24% SHELTER BY TYPE ES TH SH 2026 TOTAL ES 64 95%PSH 54 94%RRH 49 100% NUMBER OF BEDS UTILIZATION NUMBER OF BEDS UTILIZATION NUMBER OF BEDS UTILIZATION 2025 TOTAL % CHANGE Carlsbad 110 101 8.9% UNSHELTERED % CHANGE 2026 TOTAL 2025 TOTAL % CHANGE SHELTER HOUSING INVENTORY COUNT (HIC) BEDS & UTILIZATION BY TYPE Exhibit 2 June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 30 of 34 2026REGIONAL YEAR OVER YEAR CHANGE 2025 T O TA L C O U N T 9,803 9,905 % Change -1% T O TA L U N S H E LT E R E D 5,108 5,714 -11% T O TA L S H E LT E R E D 4,695 4,191 12% San Diego County Unsheltered and Sheltered Combined Totals by Region T O TA LH O M E L E S SP E R S O N S 895 North Inland Region T O TA LH O M E L E S SP E R S O N S 1,051 10.72% East Region 9.13% T O TA LH O M E L E S SP E R S O N S 1,052 South Region 10.73% T O TA LH O M E L E S SP E R S O N S 5,958 Central Region 60.78% T O TA LH O M E L E S SP E R S O N S 847 8.64% North Coastal Region San Diego County REGIONAL DATA BREAKDOWN 2026 June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 31 of 34 359 47 REPORTEDBECOMINGHOMELESSIN SAN DIEGO 289 1,745 V E T E R A N S PERSONS IN FAMILIES 433 1,083 TAY (18-24) S E N I O R S( 5 5 + ) 30% S U R V I V O R O FD O M E S T I C V I O L E N C E 7% C H R O N I CH O M E L E S S T O TA L S H E LT E R E D 4,695 48% San Diego County REGIONAL DATA BREAKDOWN T O TA LC O U N T9,803 5,108 T O TA L U N S H E LT E R E D 52% V E T E R A N S PERSONS IN FAMILIES 222 1,676 TAY (18-24) S E N I O R S( 5 5 + ) C H R O N I CH O M E L E S S 48% S U R V I V O R O FD O M E S T I C V I O L E N C E 16% BUS + PARK + STREET+ UNDERBRIDGE 43% ABANDONED BUILDING+ OTHER 11% VEHICLE/BOATRV 16% OUTDOORENCAMPMENT 30% UNSHELTERED SLEEPING LOCATIONS 80% O N C E E A C H Y E A R , H U N D R E D S O F V O L U N T E E R S S P A N T H E C O U N T Y T O L O C A T E A N D C O U N T O U R N E I G H B O R S L I V I N G W I T H O U T P E R M A N E N T S H E L T E R . T H I S D A T A I S A C R U C I A L C O M P O N E N T T O O U R A B I L I T Y T O R E D U C E A N D E N D H O M E L E S S N E S S I N S A N D I E G O . 2026 49%REPORTED BEINGHOMELESS FOR THEFIRST TIME UNSHELTERED CIRCUMSTANCES June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 32 of 34 San Diego County REGIONAL DATA BREAKDOWN 2026 SHELTER HOUSING INVENTORY COUNT (HIC) BEDS & UTILIZATION BY TYPE ES 4,066 89% TH 1,262 78% SH 98 92% RRH 2,124 100% PSH 7,688 91% OPH 1,839 92%(PH only and PHwS) NUMBER OF BEDS UTILIZATION NUMBER OF BEDS UTILIZATION NUMBER OF BEDS UTILIZATION 2026YEAR OVER YEAR CHANGE 2025 T O TA L C O U N T 9,803 9,905 % Change -1% T O TA L U N S H E LT E R E D 5,108 5,714 -11% T O TA L S H E LT E R E D 4,695 4,191 12% Unsheltered Sheltered 62% AGE RANGE <1% 23%UNDER18 18-24 25-54 55+ 4% 9% 45% 33% 23% DEVELOPMENTALDISABILITY 14% MENTALHEALTHISSUES 34% CHRONICHEALTHCONDITION 27% PHYSICALLONGTERM 29% SUBSTANCEABUSEDISORDER 25% LIVING WITHHIV/AIDS 2% UNSHELTERED DISABILITYTYPES June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 33 of 34 San Diego County REGIONAL DATA BREAKDOWN 2026 REGION CITY ES TH SH 2026 Total Sheltered 2026 TOTAL Unsheltered 2025 TOTAL Unsheltered 2025-26 Unsheltered Change Central Region City of San Diego 2,292 462 72 2,826 3,132 3,354 -6.6% REGION TOTAL 2,292 462 72 2,826 3,132 3,354 -6.6% South Region (chula vista includes sweetwater) Chula Vista 295 45 0 340 355 470 -24.5% Coronado 0 0 0 0 2 1 100% Imperial Beach 0 0 0 0 25 17 47.1% National City 168 13 0 181 149 135 10.3% REGION TOTAL 463 58 0 521 531 623 -14.8% East Region (El Cajon incluDes unincorporated communities. Spring Valley includes Casa de Oro)* El Cajon*268 284 0 552 208 344 -39.5% La Mesa 36 3 0 39 39 52 -25% Lakeside*0 0 0 0 34 47 -27.7% Lemon Grove 0 0 0 0 55 110 -50% Santee 14 0 0 14 19 53 -64.1% Spring Valley*0 0 0 0 91 106 -14.1% REGION TOTAL 318 287 0 605 446 712 -37.4% North Inland Region (Escondido includes NC Metro & Hidden meadows. Vista includes Bonsall)* Escondido*230 44 7 281 271 307 -11.7% Fallbrook*18 0 0 18 17 16 6.2% Poway 0 0 0 0 3 9 -66.7% Ramona*0 0 0 0 8 9 -11.1% San Marcos 0 0 0 0 7 30 -76.7% Vista 89 44 0 133 157 144 9% REGION TOTAL 337 88 7 432 463 515 -10.1% North Coastal Region (Encinitas includes San Dieguito, Solana Beach & Del Mar) Carlsbad 61 0 0 61 110 101 8.9% Encinitas 35 8 0 43 64 91 -29.7% Oceanside 109 87 11 207 362 318 13.8% REGION TOTAL 205 95 11 311 536 510 5.1% COUNTY WIDE TOTALS 4,695 5,108 5,714 -11% UNSHELTERED & SHELTERED BREAKDOWNS BY CITY June 23, 2026 Item #5 Page 34 of 34 From:Teri Jacobs To:City Clerk Subject:6/23/26 Council Meeting Item 5 Date:Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:13:19 PM Mayor, Council, and Staff, Thank you for this report. Thank you to staff and HOT for their dedication to end homelessness in Carlsbad. Regarding the Encampment Resolution Funding for the 78 corridor…126 people were served and 75 have transitioned into housing. What has happened to the remaining 51 individuals? The Village overall on most days seems to be better but there is almost a daily stream of new faces… The success stories shared are extremely heartwarming and shows how positive outcomes can be for those who want help. The issue with many of the individuals that are seen daily in and around the Village is that they don’t want help, lack the motivation to change their circumstances, or are incapable of making decisions for their well being. Here is hoping that Council will look at ways to encourage those individuals to accept and take advantage of all the services that are afforded to them. Ordinances, compassionate nudging, Care Court or whatever means can be used must be explored. How can we as a society allow individuals to exist sleeping on our streets…we are better than this. On a positive note, the implementation of utilizing the Fire Department is a great step! Regards, Teri Jacobs Carlsbad Resident DIst 1 Sent from my iPad CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. All Receive - Agenda Item #_____ For the Information of the: CITY COUNCIL Date: ___________ CA ____ CC____ CM ____ ACM ____ DCM (3) ____ 5 6/23/2026 x x x x x