HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-22; City Council; ; Homeless Quarterly Update for Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2021CI TY C OUN C I L.
Staff Report
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Subject:
District:
Feb.22,2022
Mayor and City Council
Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Mandy Mills, Housing and Homeless Services Director
mandy.mills@carlsbadca.gov, 760-434-2907
Homeless Quarterly Update for Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2021
All
Recommended Action
CA Review ____M_!S__
Receive the second quarterly update on the city's goal to reduce its unsheltered homeless
population, covering the period from Oct. 1 -Dec. 31, 2021.
Executive Summary
This report presents the second quarterly update on the city's progress in achieving the City
Council's goal of reducing homelessness in Carlsbad by 50%, in keeping with the City Council's
direction. The update, presented as Exhibit 1, covers the second quarter of the current fiscal
year.
The results across most measures are fairly consistent with first quarter results, showing steady
progress continues to be made toward the City Council's goal. Staff have built upon progress
reported in the first quarter, with the implementation of new tools showing promising results.
Discussion
Background
The City Council has prioritized homelessness as one of its top city goals. In March 2021, the
City Council established a fiscal year 2021-22 priority goal to "Reduce the homeless unsheltered
population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years, with quarterly reports until
we decrease the unsheltered homeless population by 50% or five years" (whichever comes
sooner), and directed staff to develop a work plan to achieve a set of specific objectives over
the next 12 to 18 months toward achieving this goal.
The City Council approved a comprehensive package of initiatives to support this effort,
including the work plan and the necessary funding appropriations, on April 27, 2021, and made
some modifications to the work plan on Sept. 28, 2021. These initiatives are strategically
designed to make both short-term and long-term impacts on the homelessness concerns in
Carlsbad.
The City Council also directed staff to provide quarterly updates on the city's progress in
achieving this goal. These updates are intended to provide the council and the community with
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 1 of 22
an opportunity to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the city's homeless initiatives,
discuss any potential concerns and make adjustments. In these updates to the council, staff
provide information on the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad,
performance metrics and outcomes, updates on the approved work plan and current program
expenses.
The first quarterly update, presented to the City Council Dec. 7, 2021, included definitions of
the terms and means of measurement being used in this effort and is attached as Exhibit 2 for
both reference and comparison.
Clarification of measurements and definitions
We are providing a comparison of the data between quarters to show changes and trends. It is
also important to point out the year-to-date data for some indicators. Because city staff and
contractors work with homeless individuals over time, they are counted in each quarter to see
quarter over quarter trends. But when the statistics are tallied in the aggregate, an individual
will not be counted more than once in the year-to-date figures, so the year-to-date statistics
are not the sum of the quarterly numbers.
These updates also refer to calls for service. Calls for service means the number of unique
activities conducted by the Police or Fire departments. This can be in response to a particular
request or complaint from the public, or it can be a proactive activity undertaken to carry out
city goals and to enforce city codes. In the last update, calls for service were reported as one
statistic. Due to prior limitations in capturing data, not all activities related to homelessness
were captured. We are now capturing all activity and providing the data on both reactive and
proactive calls for service.
Changes since last quarterly report
A number of new programs or initiatives became effective during the second quarter of the
fiscal year and can now be reported. Most of these started during the middle of the reporting
period, so the data reflects the period from when they started through Dec. 31, 2021.
In general, the statistics on outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness remained close
to the same during the period covered by this report, while enforcement and clean-up efforts
increased. Second quarter results demonstrate steady progress continues to be made toward
the City Council's goal.
It is important to point out that during the months of November and December, La Posada, the
only emergency shelter in the city, had several COVID outbreaks and were unable to accept
new guests.
Quality of Life Ordinance
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 on Sept. 28, 2021. These
new laws became effective Nov. 11, 2021. These changes addressed camping on public, private
and open space property, obstruction of property, trespassing, disorderly conduct and
expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol are prohibited.
The amendments provided police officers with the enforcement tools needed to ensure public
safety and a decent quality of life for all people in Carlsbad. Police officers will continue to use
Feb . 22, 2022 Item #6 Page 2 of 22
their discretion in issuing warnings and citations and making misdemeanor arrests. City staff
will continue to monitor how the team balances the need to build rapport with the homeless
community while holding them accountable and enforcing city laws.
Limited term stay emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program
As a part of establishing the amendments to the municipal code, the City Council approved a
one-night Hotel Voucher Pilot Program so that the city could legally enforce its unlawful
camping on public property ordinance.1 Those who participate in the voucher program are
connected to services the following morning through the Homeless Outreach Team. The city
may enforce its unlawful camping on public property ordinance if an individual chooses not to
participate in the emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program and refuses another offer for shelter
or housing. The program began operating in early November. The city will use the new Hotel
Voucher Pilot Program over the next 12 months and report progress through subsequent
quarterly updates to the City Council so adjustments can be made as needed.
Shopping cart enforcement
The Police Department began an initiative in the end of the quarter t o reclaim shopping carts
and return them to the merchants that own them when possible. This initiative has been
enforceable under the California Business and Professions Code and does not require a local
ordinance for implementation.
Additional social workers through the County of San Diego
Both the County of San Diego's North County Social Worker Pilot Program and a new county
contract to provide behavioral health are now operating their programs in the City of Carlsbad,
with two social workers providing outreach in the community. Both outreach programs have
been working closely with the city's Homeless Outreach Team, Housing Navigator and outside
contractors to ensure outreach efforts are being effectively administered and coordinated so
that the most vulnerable individuals are being prioritized and served.
Fiscal Analysis
The cost of the activities in the work plan are covered in the city's budget for the current fiscal
year.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to evaluate the inflow of homeless persons in Carlsbad and will report out
trends in the data. An updated work program and associated budget appropriations will be
offered for the council's approval in the city's normal strategic planning and budget process
each year.
Staff will return to the City Council each quarter to report on the city's progress in reducing the
number of persons experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad over the next five years, or until the
goal is achieved. Staff will bring the next quarterly report, covering the period from Jan. 1-
March 31, 2022, to the City Council in May 2022.
1 In most circumstances, cities cannot enforce laws prohibiting camping on public property if they do not have
enough shelter beds available for their homeless population under the Boise v. Martin court ruling. Some
exceptions apply if the ordinance or other law is tailored with time, place and/or manner restrictions.
Feb. 22,2022 Item #6 Page 3 of 22
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not constitute a "project" as defined under the California Environmental
Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that these actions may not cause a
direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change
in the environment.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in keeping with the state's Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for
public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibit
1. Second Quarterly Update report on goal to reduce homelessness, Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2021
2. Dec. 7, 2021 staff report to the City Council (on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 4 of 22
Exhibit 1
QUARTERLY REPORT
Reducing Homelessness
{city of
Carlsbad
OCT. 1 -DEC. 31, 2021
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021-22, the
City of Carlsbad achieved several important milestones
towards its goal of reducing homelessness, which are
detailed in this report.
SUMMARY
tttt
tttt tttt
ttt
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.
29
Shelter placements
269 lru
Unduplicated contacts
Police calls for service
Hotel voucher
NIGHTS
Feb.22,2022
2,169 Encampment
CLEANUPS
Item #6 Page 5 of 22
Data by Quarter
The table below shows how data compares between Ql and Q2, along with year-to-date data. Staff have
adjusted some of the Ql data to reflect additional information received since presenting the Ql report to the
City Council in December 2021.
b Transitioned to permanent housing
[fil] Unduplicated contacts*
' I , a Police calls for service**
I::• Shelter placements
11111111'0.. Encampment cleanups ........ t People pcovlded hotel vouche,s
~ Hotel vouchernlghts
~ Shopping carts collected
Ql Q2 Q3
16 15
253 269
1,542 2,169
28 29
10 15
N/A 5
N/A 8
N/A 37
Q4 YTD
31
433
3,711
57
25
5
8
37
*89 of the same individuals experiencing homelessness were contacted in both Ql and Q2. The year-to-date
total removes duplicate contacts.
**Carlsbad Police went into the field for 2,169 calls for service, of which 1,021 calls were in response to a
specific request or complaint and 1,148 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out
city goals and enforce city codes.
Reducing Homelessness 2
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 __________________________ _
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 6 of 22
FY 2021/23 Work Plan Progress
Work plan tasks were identified to be accomplished over various stages during the fiscal year. All work plan
tasks that were identified to be complete for Ql and Q2 have been completed within the identified timeline
and budget.*
Work Plan Timeline
Employment and benefits specialist Progress on track
Develop scope of work and budget for consultant services for a two-year contract
Issue request for proposals 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
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
Community Resource Center services Progress on track
Contract with the Community Resource Center
Develop scope of work for services
Two-year contract with three, one-year extensions
Revise policies and procedures based on lessons learned from year one
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
0
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
0
0
0
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
0
0
3
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ____________________________ _
Feb. 22,2022 Item #6 Page 7 of 22
Work plan progress continued
Create a new Housing & Homeless Services Department Progress on track
Create new positions (Director, Housing Services Manager and Management Analyst)
Develop budget and purchase resources
Advertise, recruit, hire the new positions
La Posada de Guadalupe Facility Expansion
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the number of shelter beds
within the existing facility
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the existing facility to
accommodate women and families
Project Homekey funds Progress on track
Develop a list of potential projects that are eligible for Project Homekey funding and
develop a specific proposal for the City Council's consideration and direction.
Pursue a Homekey funding application, if directed by the City Council
*Some tasks have changed or been eliminated based on City Council direction.
Reducing Homelessness
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
0
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
0
0
4
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ____________________________ _
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 8 of 22
Expenditures
The City Council approved $6.8 million in general funds and one-time reserve funds to support the homeless
goal during fiscal year 2021-22. A significant portion of the budget, $3.2 million, was initially allocated for an
emergency shelter hotel voucher pilot program. Based on initial research and feedback, the City Council
decided to pursue a different model, which is expected to require fewer resources.
TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES TO DATE
$1,337.593
Spent to date
SPENDING BY CATEGORY
Portable toilets
$10,200
Hotel vouchers
$826.63 ~,
Police -
salaries
$931,529.47
Reducing Homelessness
$6,854,310
Total budget
Urban Corps
$5,516,717
Remaining
(Encampment and trash cleanup)
$41 ,880 Interfaith Community
Services
/ (Social workers)
$112,026.76
""-...
Community Resource Center
(Rapid rehousing, other housing assistance)
$98,092.66
" Housing & Homeless
Services salaries
$143,037
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 _________________________ _
5
Feb.22.2022 Item #6 Page 9 of 22
Carlsbad's Homeless Population
rl ,&. 91% ~ Lived in San Diego
County prior to
becoming homeless
Point in Time data
160
140
120
100
80 78
60
40
20 21
0
2011 2012 2013
67% Male 87% White
'
• ,· 2:~ f::~:::
Indian
1% Asian
'
• e 100% Adult r 1@ 38% Disability
,55%44+ ~
152
Carlsbad began to manage
94
19 21
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
*The Point in Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COV/0-19 precautions. The City of Carlsbad took
over the Point in Time Count from an outside organization starting in 2017.
Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 _________________________ _
6
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 10 of 22
Public Safety
Homeless-related calls for service
Carlsbad Police went into the field for 2,169 calls for service, which made up 13% of all activity between Oct.
1 to Dec. 31, 2021. Of those, 1,021 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 1,148 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 this quarter, therefore officers were more proactive to
educate and enforce restrictions such as camping in public, trespassing and drinking in public parks.
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE
1 %
Related to
hon elessness
HOMELESS-RELATED STATISTICS BY CATEGORY*
Citations Arrests · Mental health holds
*These are the statistics related to the homeless population compared to the general population in Carlsbad.
Mental health holds refer to when an individual has a mental health crisis and is hospitalized for 72-hour
psychiatric care when they are evaluated to be a danger to themselves or others.
Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 _________________________ _
7
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 11 of 22
Percentage of all calls for service Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
~ Homeless-related ca lls for services 9% 13%
e Homeless-related arrests 17% 18% Ma
n ~~ Homeless-related citations 4% 16%
(t) Homeless-related mental health holds ·20% 3%
SERVICES
This quarter 72% of people accepted some form of clinical intervention. This includes case management,
assessment, care coordination, crisis intervention, program information, diversion and treatment planning.
72%
Accepted services
Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 __________________________ _
8
Feb.22.2022 Item #6 Page 12 of 22
. I
The Homeless Outreach Team officers and contract social workers provide a lot of other services in addition
to clinical services.
Services accepted
' I , :Dt
Ct)
m
6
~ • •
Information only
Emergency shelter referral
Mail delivery
Transit passes and rideshare
assistance
Police transportation
Substance abuse treatment referral
ID voucher distribution
Permanent or bridge housing referral
Benefits access referral (medical
insurance, CalFresh program, VA
benefits, etc.)
Other (appointment coordination,
blankets, etc.)
Food assistance
Hospital transport
Mental & physical health care referral
Personal needs assistance (clothing,
phone, prescriptions, etc.)
Reunification travel assistance referral
TOTAL
Reducing Homelessness
Q2
328
53
32
31
24
17
15
13
12
12
11
9
8
5
5
575
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ___________________________ _
9
Feb.22,2022 . Item #6 Page 13 of 22
Quality of life
In late September 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, disorderly conduct and expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol are
prohibited.
In coordination with the amendments to the municipal code, the City Council approved a one-night Hotel
Voucher Pilot Program so that the city could enforce its unlawful camping on public property ordinance.
Those who participate in the emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program will be connected to services the
following morning through the Homeless Outreach Team. The city may enforce its unlawful camping on
public property ordinance if an individual chooses not to participate in the emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot
Program and refuses another offer for shelter or housing.
The program was up and running in early November. From then through December, five vouchers were
issued for a total of eight nights in a hotel and a total expenditure of $826.63. The city will utilize the new
Hotel Voucher Pilot Program over the next 12 months and report progress through quarterly updates to the
City Council so adjustments can be made as needed.
The code amendments provide police officers with the 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. City staff will continue to monitor how the team
balances the need to build rapport with the homeless community while holding them accountable and
enforcing city laws.
Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ____________________________ _
10
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 14 of 22
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 ofthe outreach efforts implemented from Oct. 1 to
Dec. 31, 2021, to help keep the community informed and engaged about the city's efforts to reduce
homelessness.
1 community group presentation 3 virtual office hours
(small group community
meetings)
3 community newsletter updates
14 participants*
*Some community members attended more than one small group meeting.
Members of the Homeless Outreach Team and Housing & Homeless Services Department jointly provided an
informational presentation t9 a group of educators. Additionally, staff facilitated three small group
community meetings held virtually where community members had a chance to ask questions, share their
concerns and brainstorm ideas.
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
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ____________________________ _
11
Feb. 22,2022 Item #6 Page 15 of 22
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 animals when they are not able to bring them to treatment
facilities or services. Staff have found this has been a primary barrier preventing people from accessing
services. The contract will provide short-term emergency boarding and emergency medical care for
approximately 25 animals of persons experiencing homelessness -free of charge -so the individual can
more easily access care and resources.
Rocket John portable restrooms and handwashing stations
The Rocket John contract provides four portable restrooms and handwashing stations and routine cleaning
and maintenance in the downtown Village. The city first added these public bathrooms in 2017 to combat the
Hepatitis A crisis in the homeless community. With COVID-19, the city has added more restrooms and
handwashing stations to promote health, sanitation and 24/7 access to clean water to individuals living
unsheltered.
Community Resource Center
The city's homelessness prevention and intervention contract with Community Resource Center that was
funded by the state has expired. This contract provided rapid rehousing dollars to reduce homelessness by
providing security deposit support, rental assistance, landlord advocacy, case management and financial
literacy. In Q2, Community Resource Center screened and enrolled 17 new clients into its rapid rehousing
program. The City Council approved a new, two-year $350,000/year contract in January 2022 to continue the
rapid rehousing program with the Community Resource Center.
Interfaith Community Services
Interfaith Community Services is the current outreach and case management contractor for the City of
Carlsbad's Homeless Outreach Team. Interfaith Community Services provides two licensed or master's level
clinicians and one part-time licensed program manager. They provide seven-day coverage offering outreach
and case management in the field to individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of 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 Q2, Interfaith Community Services and the
Homeless Outreach Team engaged with 226 unduplicated clients at-risk and experiencing homelessness.
North County Social Worker
Both the County of San Diego's North County Social Worker Pilot Program and the new county behavioral
health contract are now operating their programs in the City of Carlsbad, with two individuals providing
outreach in the community. Both outreach programs have been working closely with the city's Homeless
Outreach Team, Housing Navigator and outside contractors to ensure that outreach efforts are being
effectively administered and coordinated and prioritize the most vulnerable individuals.
Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ___________________________ _
12
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 16 of 22
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 on city property based on health and safety priorities. The contractor has the capacity to request
additional staff for large encampment cleanups or major city events.
Additional collaborations
The city collaborates with many stakeholders in the community to reduce homelessness including:
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Tri-Crty Medical Center
Reducing Homelessness
MAKING IT HOME
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ____________________________ _
13
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 17 of 22
Success stories
Each quarter, staff will i.nclude one or more success stories of real people who were connected to community
services as a result of the city's homeless response efforts. These are their stories, which they have given the
city permission to share.
Meet Theo
Male, age: 67
Years homeless: 5
Permanently housed: December 2021
Theo had been living outside in Carlsbad for almost 5 years when he encountered the Homeless Outreach
Team and the Housing Navigator. He found himself without a home after he lost his employment, his
marriage ended, and he had nowhere to go but outside. With a small amount of Social Security income, he
had only enough resources for food. He didn't know how to take the next step to find a home indoors. Theo
decided to take a chance on building trust with the service providers and began applying to find a new place
to live. With the help of a Housing Choice Voucher and conversations with numerous landlords, Theo found a
place to be his home just before the end of the year. He feels like he can finally breathe again and is glad to
have a safe home.
What worked
• Homeless Outreach Team worked with Theo, helped provide hygiene items and connected him to
the Housing Navigator.
• City homeless services staff helped him apply for and monitor his position on the city's Section 8
rental assistance program waiting list.
• The Carlsbad Housing Authority had funding to issue a limited number of vouchers to those
experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad.
• When the housing voucher became available, the city's Housing Navigator helped Theo obtain
critical documents,fjnd apartments and fill out rental applications.
• Through the city's contract with the Community Resource Center, Theo got help with his security
deposit, rental insurance and furniture.
• Theo is now housed and is adjusting to life inside.
Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ___________________________ _
14
Feb . 22,2022 Item #6 Page 18 of 22
Daniel's story
Male, age: 53
Years homeless: 2
Permanently housed: December 2021
Daniel was born and raised in Carlsbad. Unfortunately, throughout his life he battled drug and alcohol
addiction and suffered from psychological disorders. When Daniel's parents passed away and the family
home was sold in April 2020, Daniel found himself homeless, still struggling with addiction.
In the same month, Daniel was detained for trespassing in a vacant home. The Homeless Outreach Team
responded and began to help Daniel. Daniel and the Homeless Outreach Team remained in communication
over the next year as Daniel worked through his struggle with recovery, including detox, rehabilitation
screening and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
In May 2021, Daniel completed a screening for housing and supportive intervention. In July 2021, Daniel was
linked with the County of San Diego for general relief. A month later in August 2021, Daniel was referred to
and accepted into the Graduate Lodging Program. Homeless Outreach Team officers who never gave up on
Daniel personally transported him to the program. In November 2021, due to Daniel's determination and the
Homeless Outreach Team's persistence, Daniel entered a pivotal point in his life and began to turn a corner.
Homeless Outreach Team officers assisted Daniel with securing a job interview and transported him there on
the day of the interview. Although Daniel didn't get the job, he was not discouraged. We are happy to share
Daniel recently moved into his own apartment and remains sober.
In a recent interview, Daniel said, "It is hard being on the streets when you are high, but it wasn't until I was
living on the streets sober that I realized I was wasting my life." Daniel went on to credit members of the
Homeless Outreach Team and said they are responsible for his comeback. Daniel knows that struggling with
addiction is difficult and realizes it contributed to his attitude when he was offered assistance and declined.
This is just one of many examples, where the Homeless Outreach Team acts as more than just enforcers, but
also guardians of the City of Carlsbad. Daniel has offered his assistance to the Homeless Outreach Team in
the future with those they encounter that are service-resistant based on addiction.
What worked
• The Homeless Outreach Team worked with Daniel, connecting him to programs for substance use
and addiction.
• Getting General Relief benefits helped him obtain a stable limited income.
• Persistent service offering, although declined numerous times, was critical in being available when
the client was open to real change. This helped build trust with Daniel over time.
• Daniel is now housed and is trying to stay committed to his sobriety.
Reducing Homelessness 15
Q2 Report: Oct. -Dec. 2021 ___________________________ _
Feb. 22,2022 Item #6 Page 19 of 22
Overcoming challenges
Staff have experienced several challenges around the implementation of the City Council's goal to reduce the
homeless unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years. Some of these
include:
Multiple service providers
It has been a challenge to coordinate resources when multiple services providers are involved. As the city and
county continue to add more programs, it will be critical for all agencies to meet regularly to ensure outreach
efforts are being effectively administered and coordinated to ensure the most vulnerable individuals are
being prioritized and served. During Q2, city staff helped facilitate the first case conferencing meeting with
most of the service providers in the City of Carlsbad who are working with those experiencing homelessness.
Data collection
Staff will continue to look at better ways to refine the city's data collection to allow for more real-time
information. City staff are working to develop better metrics to measure progress towards the City Council's
goal.
There are challenges identifying and measuring service-resistant clients. Different outreach programs have
different philosophies. It may be hard to track who is working with whom and how many times they have
been engaged over a six-month period unless all of the providers are sharing and inputting data in the
Homeless Management Information System.
Limited housing resources
There is a limited number of emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing resources in North
County and the region. During the second quarter, La Posada, the only emergency shelter in the city, had
several COVID outbreaks and was unable to accept new guests. In addition to La Posada, many of the other
shelter options in the region have been closed to new intakes due to COVID outbreaks in their facilities.
Staff vacancies
There have been transitions and position vacancies in the Housing & Homeless Services Department,
Homeless Outreach Team and social worker team. These vacancies have caused an increase in workload on
the team. New programs have been slower to implement due to these limitations.
Reducing Homelessness
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Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 20 of 22
Upcoming work
City staff have several new programs on the horizon:
• The city is enrolling as a "participating agency" in the Homeless Management Information System which
will allow staff to see real-time, unduplicated data of individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad.
This system will help staff bridge households experiencing homelessness to regional housing projects and
resources like Windsor Pointe, an affordable housing project that will provide housing and support
services to homeless veterans and their families as well as people suffering from serious mental illness.
This system help the city monitor service provider contractor data.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department is in the process of recruiting for several positions.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department will begin the process to help La Posada to operate as a
"low-barrier" shelter through additional licensed clinicians and a third-party consultant to train shelter
staff.
• The city will be hosting and organizing the 2022 Point-in-Time Count on Feb. 24, 2022. Data from the
count will not be available until several months after the count. When the data is available, it will be
included in future quarterly reports.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department will begin to contract for an Employment & Benefits
Specialist position who will be able to help connect people to employment opportunities and eligible
benefits.
Reducing Homelessness
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Feb.22.2022 Item #6 Page 21 of 22
Exhibit 2
Dec. 7, 2021 staff report to the City Council
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Feb.22,2022 Item #6 Page 22 of 22