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Home My WebLink About2022-08-30; City Council; ; Homeless Quarterly Update for April 1 - June 30, 2022CA Review _MK__ Meeting Date: To: From: Staff Contact: Subject: District: Aug. 30, 2022 Mayor and City Council Scott Chadwick, City Manager Mandy Mills, Housing & Homeless Services Director mandy.mills@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2907 Chris Shilling, Senior Program Manager chris.shilling@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2284 Homeless Quarterly Update for April 1 - June 30, 2022 All Recommended Action Receive the fourth quarterly update on the city’s goal to reduce its unsheltered homeless population, covering the period from April 1 – June 30, 2022. Executive Summary Reducing homelessness and its effects on the community are top priorities for the City Council. In March 2021, the City Council set a goal of reducing the unsheltered homeless population in Carlsbad, among those who want help, by 50% within five years. The City Council also directed staff to provide quarterly updates on their progress. This report presents the fourth quarterly update covering the period from April 1 to June 30, 2022. (Exhibit 1) The city continues to make steady progress toward the City Council’s goal. Data for the full fiscal year are included in this report, showing the city helped 62 people experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing since July 1, 2021. This fiscal year data, in addition to the annual Point-in-Time Count, provide data points that allow for a more complete assessment of program progress. The city completed all tasks this past fiscal year that were anticipated through the work plan, with the exception of the training of staff at the La Posada Emergency Shelter. That item is on track for completion in October 2022. Finally, this report includes updates on the limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program, La Posada emergency shelter expansion and the recent homeless court mobile resource fair held in partnership with the County of San Diego. Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 1 of 24 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).” In setting this goal, the City Council directed staff to develop a work plan to achieve a set of specific objectives over the next 12 to 18 months. 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 Dec. 7, 2021. These initiatives are strategically designed to make both short-term and long-term progress on addressing 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 City Council and the community with 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 City 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 staff report for 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 reference. As planned, this fourth quarterly update provides the annual data for FY 2021-2022. Fiscal year 2021-2022 review During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the city spent a total of $2,646,403 in support of the City Council work plan. Of this amount, $1,674,211, or 63%, was attributed to Police Department expenses dedicated to homeless outreach. The remainder was spent on staff salaries for the new Housing and Homeless Services Department, contracts for social worker outreach and housing services, motel vouchers, portable toilets and trash cleanup. During the fiscal year, the work plan programs funded by the city interacted with 749 individuals experiencing homelessness. The programs were able to transition 62 of these people into permanent housing, 110 individuals into shelter and 143 individuals into temporary locations such as bridge housing and treatment programs. Two new programs to aid the homeless began operating in Carlsbad during the 2021-2022 fiscal year: The County of San Diego's North County Social Worker Pilot Program and a new behavioral health outreach program provided through a county contract with People Assisting the Homeless, or PATH. Each of these programs have two additional social workers providing outreach to people experiencing homelessness in the area. City staff work closely with the staff in these programs and facilitate a monthly case conferencing meeting to share case information and effectively administer and coordinate the outreach efforts so that the most complex cases are prioritized and served. These programs, in addition to those provided by YMCA Youth and Family Services, La Posada de Guadalupe Shelter and the Carlsbad Service Center, have agreed Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 2 of 24 to share data with the City of Carlsbad. Access to this additional data will allow for future reporting on the monthly inflow and outflow of all programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. Work plan implementation The city continues to make progress on the implementation of the City Council work plan. The city completed all work plan tasks, with the exception of the training at La Posada Emergency Shelter. That item is on track for completion in October 2022. The following goals were completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021-22: Employment and benefit specialist Through the city’s bidding and selection process, the city finalized a contract with Community Resource Center to provide employment and benefit specialist services to people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. The contract was approved by the City Council on June 14, 2022, and became effective July 1, 2022. The Community Resource Center is onboarding a specialist to provide these services. Additional clinician services On May 24, 2022, the City Council approved a grant agreement with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego to fund additional clinician services at the La Posada De Guadalupe Shelter. This agreement became effective July 1, 2022. Catholic Charities is in the recruitment process for the additional staff members. Training for shelter staff After another bidding and selection process, the city finalized a professional services agreement with OrgCode Consulting Inc. to provide training and technical assistance to help Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego more effectively operate the La Posada de Guadalupe Shelter as a housing-focused shelter. The contract became effective July 1, 2022. OrgCode Consulting Inc. staff completed an on-site visit the week of Aug. 8, 2022, and are in the process of developing training based on their assessment. Limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program The limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program has been operational for eight months. From the inception of the voucher program in November 2021 through the end of June 2022, 37 households were issued vouchers for a total of 95 nights. The City Council authorized the program to operate for a 12-month pilot period; that period ends Oct. 31, 2022. As of June 2022, $12,781.16 of the initial funds have been spent. No additional funding is being requested at this time. Staff intends to return to the City Council in December 2022 to provide an update on the results of the program and, if the City Council wishes to extend it, to request any necessary additional funding. Until this report-out date, the program will continue to utilize the initially allocated funding per staff’s carry-over request submitted in June 2022. Progress will continue to be reported through quarterly updates to the City Council so adjustments can be made as needed. La Posada de Guadalupe expansion Expanding the capacity of the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter to serve more individuals experiencing homelessness, including space for women and children, continues to be a medium Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 3 of 24 and long-term strategy in the city’s work plan to address homelessness. City staff have been working with Catholic Charities on a potential amendment to its conditional use permit to increase the bed capacity at La Posada. The City of Carlsbad previously granted $58,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to Catholic Charities to pay for architectural and engineering costs to examine the feasibility of expanding the capacity of the shelter within the existing building footprint. Catholic Charities has engaged an architectural firm to assist with modifying its conditional use permit. A permit application was submitted to the city and is being reviewed. City staff continue to work with Catholic Charities to provide guidance and explore options. The next step will be to explore the feasibility of expanding the ground floor area or adding a second story. During the fourth quarter, city staff and Catholic Charities’ leadership met to discuss the county’s $10 million Capital Emergency Housing Solutions Grant Program, which provides capital funding for cities to develop or expand homeless shelters. City staff and Catholic Charities’ leaders had concerns about the county’s timeline for capital project completion and the operating cost commitment associated with an expansion. As a result, the city did not apply for this funding opportunity. Catholic Charities and the city will continue to work on expansion feasibility and explore other funding opportunities in the future. Mobile Homeless Court and Resource Fair On June 17, 2022, a mobile homeless court and resource fair was held at the Library Learning Center, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event was a partnership between the County of San Diego and the City of Carlsbad to help connect individuals experiencing homelessness with services, and to resolve their legal problems. It was well-attended by service providers and community partners, such as: •The District Attorney’s Office •Public Defender’s Office •Department of Motor Vehicles •County Office of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities •Community Resource Center •Interfaith Community Services •Catholic Charities •Exodus Recovery •Brother Benno’s •Humanity Showers •San Diego Humane Society The event went smoothly, and city staff received positive feedback from all participants. The results were: •58 individuals attended the event •25 cases were reviewed by homeless court staff •22 individuals or families received public assistance, COVID vaccines and/or family healthcare services •Four holds on state identification cards or driver licenses were released by Child Support Services •22 individuals received showers and/or haircuts Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 4 of 24 • Four individuals entered programs or were given housing services The event was featured in The San Diego Union-Tribune and the event format used in Carlsbad will continue to be used as a model for similar events in other cities throughout the county. Fiscal Analysis An overview of total Fiscal Year 2021-2022 annual spending for the homelessness response goal is included in the fourth quarterly report (Exhibit 1). No additional funding is being requested for the continued operation of the limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program. Next Steps Staff will propose an updated work plan, goal to measure progress against and frequency of reports to City Council as part of the City Council five-year strategic plan currently being developed and the Homeless Response Plan Update. City staff will return to the City Council with a new work plan after City Council direction is received on both the Strategic Plan and the Homeless Response Plan Update. Staff will continue to operate the limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program and will return to the City Council in December 2022 with an update on its results. If the City Council decides to extend the program, staff will address any additional funding requests at that time. 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. Fourth quarterly update report on goal to reduce homelessness, April 1-June 30, 2022 2. Dec. 7, 2021, City Council staff report (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 5 of 24 During the fourth quarter of FY 2021-22, the City of Carlsbad achieved several important milestones towards its goal of reducing homelessness, which are detailed in this report. 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. Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 6 of 24 Exhibit 1 QUARTERLY REPORT Reducing Homelessness {city of Carlsbad APRIL 1 -JUNE 30, 2022 SUMMARY tttt tttt tttt ttt Transitioned to permanent housing 14 Shelter placements 324 [ll] Unduplicated contacts t] 46 Police calls for service Hotel voucher NIGHTS 2,701 Encampment CLEANUPS Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 2 The table below shows how data compares between each quarter, along with year-to-date data. Staff adjusted some of the Q1 and Q2 data to reflect additional information received since presenting these quarterly reports. The same individual may have received more than one service and is reflected under each service category that applies to them (for example, the same individual may have received both a hotel voucher and later placed into permanent housing). Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD Transitioned to permanent housing 23 15 12 12 62 Unduplicated contacts* 253 269 309 324 749 Police calls for service** 1,542 2,169 2,585 2,701 7,455 Shelter placements 28 29 39 14 110 Encampment cleanups 10 7 16 17 50 People provided hotel vouchers N/A 5 17 15 37 Hotel voucher nights N/A 8 41 46 95 Shopping carts collected N/A 37 48 17 102 *163 new individuals were contacted during Q4 who were not contacted during Q1 through Q3. The year-to- date total removes duplicate contacts. **Carlsbad Police officers went into the field for 2,701 homeless-related calls for service in Q4, of which 1,359 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 1,342 were proactive department- initiated calls for service to help carry out city goals and enforce applicable laws. Data by Quarter Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 7 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 3 The fourth quarter marked the one-year milestone since the work plan was established. The graphic below provides a snapshot of some of the year-to-date data. Year in Review Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 8 of 24 YEAR IN REVIEW tttt tttt tttt ttt Transitioned to permanent housing 0 Shelter placements 749 Unduplicated contacts Police calls for service 50 ,....~ Hotel voucher NIGHTS 7,455 Encampment CLEANUPS Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 4 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 Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 have been completed within the identified timeline and budget with the exception of the last four objectives listed under the enhancement of clinical services at La Posada Emergency Shelter.* Those are on track for completion in October 2022. Work Plan Timeline Employment and benefits specialist Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Develop scope of work and budget for consultant services for a two-year contract Issue RFP for contract services Design program and informational materials Additional homeless outreach officers and social workers Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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 hotel voucher pilot program Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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 FY 2021/23 Work Plan Progress Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 9 of 24ra ra ra ra ra ra ra 0:: 0:: 0:: 0:: ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 5 Work plan progress continued Community Resource Center services Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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 Create a new Housing & Homeless Services Department Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 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. Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 10 of 24la la la la la la la la la la la Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 6 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 a 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 SPENDING BY CATEGORY Expenditures Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 11 of 24 $2,646,403 Spent to date Portable toilets $22,831 .16 Hotel vouchers $12,781.16 Police salaries - $1,674,211.47 ~ I Urban Corps $6,854,310 Total budget $4,207,907 Remaining (Encampment and trash cleanup) . $88,540 Interfaith Community Services (Social workers) $261, 134.49 ~ Community Resource Center (Rapid rehousing, other housing assistance) $197,146.66 Housing & Homeless Services salaries $389,758.25 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 7 Point in Time unsheltered data *The Point in Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions. The City of Carlsbad took over the Point in Time Count from an outside organization starting in 2017. Carlsbad’s Homeless Population Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 12 of 24 6 ~v~d~San Diego County prior to becoming homeless ~~8% , ... Veterans 160 140 120 100 80 78 60 40 21 20 0 2011 2012 2013 19 72% Male (t) • I 0 I Female ' • e 100% Adult ,55%44+ Carlsbad began to manage 21 2014 2015 2016 2017 e e 87% White '' 13%Black ~ 38% Disability 152 75 2018 2019 2020 2022 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 8 Homeless-related calls for service Carlsbad Police officers went into the field for 2,701 homeless-related calls for service, which made up 11% of all police calls for service between April 1 to June 30, 2022. Of those 2,701 calls, 1,359 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 1,342 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city goals and enforce applicable laws. Changes to the city’s municipal code went into effect during November 2021, therefore officers have been more proactive to educate and enforce restrictions such as camping in public, trespassing and drinking in certain public parks. PERCENTAGE OF HOMELESS-RELATED CALLS FOR SERVICE HOMELESS-RELATED STATISTICS BY CATEGORY *These are the statistics related to the homeless population compared to the general population in Carlsbad. Mental health holds refer to when a homeless individual experiencing a mental health crisis is hospitalized for 72-hour psychiatric care when they are evaluated to be a danger to themselves or others. Public Safety Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 13 of 24 Citations Arrests 11% Related to homelessness Mental health holds Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 9 Percentage of all calls for service Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Homeless-related calls for service 9% 13% 10% 11% Homeless-related arrests 17% 18% 16% 8% Homeless-related citations 4% 16% 18% 19% Homeless-related mental health holds 20% 3% 9% 13% SERVICES This quarter 71% of people experiencing homelessness accepted some form of clinical intervention. This includes case management, assessment, care coordination, crisis intervention, program information, diversion and treatment planning. Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 14 of 24 71% Accepted services Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 10 The Homeless Outreach Team officers, Housing & Homeless Services staff and contract social workers provide a lot of other services in addition to clinical services. Services accepted Q2 Q3 Q4 Information only 328 394 306 Emergency shelter referral 53 63 46 Mail delivery 32 15 19 Transportation to services 31 17 21 Police transportation 24 58 38 Substance abuse treatment 17 21 1 ID assistance 15 18 13 Permanent or bridge housing referral 13 21 6 Benefits access (medical insurance, CalFresh program, VA benefits, etc.) 12 18 10 Other (appointment coordination, blankets, etc.) 12 96 204 Food assistance 11 6 8 Hospital transport 9 12 5 Referrals to mental & physical health care 8 17 2 Personal needs assistance (clothing, phone, prescriptions, etc.) 5 25 5 Reunification travel assistance 5 15 1 TOTAL 575 796 685 Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 15 of 24 ' I , il (t) m 6 ~ • • r,11 y ff Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 11 In late September 2021 the City Council approved amendments to the city’s municipal code to address public safety and quality-of-life concerns related to homelessness and public spaces. These new laws became effective Nov. 11, 2021. Changes addressed camping on public, private and open space property; obstruction of property, trespassing and disorderly conduct; and expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol are prohibited. As a part of establishing the amendments to the municipal code, the City Council approved a limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program to be able to enforce its public camping laws. Voucher recipients are connected to services the following morning through the Homeless Outreach Team. For those who do not want to participate in the hotel voucher pilot program, the city may enforce its public camping laws. The program was up and running in early November 2021. From then through June 2022, 37 households were issued a total of 95 nights in a hotel with a total expenditure of $12,781.16. Of the 37 households assisted, 27 were able to move on to other shelter or housing following their hotel stay. At this time no additional funds are being requested for the program. Staff intends to return to the City Council in December 2022 to provide an update on the results of the program and, if the City Council wishes to extend it, to request any necessary additional funding. Until this report-out date, the program will continue to utilize the initially allocated funding per staff’s carry-over request submitted in June 2022. Progress will continue to be reported through quarterly updates to the City Council so adjustments can be made as needed. The City Council amendments, along with existing local and state codes, provide police officers with adequate enforcement tools to ensure public safety and a decent quality of life for all people in Carlsbad. Police officers will continue to use their discretion to issue warnings, citations and misdemeanor arrests. City staff will continue to track data to gauge how the team balances the need to build rapport with the homeless community while holding them accountable and enforcing city laws. Quality of life Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 16 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 12 The city recognizes homelessness is a top concern of the community and understands the importance of outreach and engagement. Below is an overview of some of the outreach efforts implemented from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022, to help keep the community informed and engaged about the city’s efforts to reduce homelessness. 2 community focus groups 6 community newsletter updates Members of the Homeless Outreach Team and the Housing & Homeless Services Department jointly hosted two focus groups to gather feedback from residents who have experienced homelessness to help update the city’s Homeless Response Plan. Staff also responded to hundreds of phone calls and emails from individuals experiencing homelessness, business owners, social service providers and members of the public. Public Outreach Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 17 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 13 The City of Carlsbad believes in addressing homelessness with compassion and fairness. Here is a current list of services created to help those experiencing homelessness as well as improve the quality of life of the community collectively. Services to help individuals experiencing homelessness: San Diego Humane Society The purpose of the San Diego Humane Society contract is to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with a safe place to temporarily board their animal when they are not able to bring them to treatment facilities or services. Staff have found this has been a primary barrier preventing people from accessing services. The contract 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 access care and resources. Rocket John portable restrooms and handwashing stations The Rocket John contract provided 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. One portable restroom has been removed based on community concern, so three portable restrooms are currently being provided. Community Resource Center The city continues to partner with the Community Resource Center to operate the rapid rehousing contract. The contract provides case management, security deposit support, rental assistance, landlord advocacy and financial education. Community Resource Center enrolled 16 new clients to their program in Q4 and placed five households into permanent housing. They have also received a contract from the city to hire an employment and benefits specialist. This contract has been executed and they are in the process of onboarding the new hire. Interfaith Community Services Interfaith Community Services is the current outreach and case management contractor for the City of Carlsbad’s Homeless Outreach Team. ICS provides two licensed or master’s level clinicians and one part-time licensed program manager. They provide coverage throughout the week offering outreach and case management in the field to individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. The clinicians engage, assess, plan and refer individuals to resources like housing, medical care, public benefits, mental health, substance use treatment and basic needs. During Q4, Interfaith Community Services and the Homeless Outreach Team engaged with 260 unduplicated clients experiencing homelessness. North County Social Workers During the fiscal year, the County of San Diego's North County Social Worker Pilot Program and a new County contract to provide behavioral health outreach through People Assisting the Homeless, or PATH, began operating in Carlsbad. Both of these programs have two additional social workers providing outreach to people experiencing homelessness in the community. City staff work closely with these programs and Regional Partnerships Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 18 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 14 facilitate a monthly case conferencing meeting to ensure all outreach efforts are effectively administered and coordinated, so that the most complex cases are prioritized and served. Urban Corps The City contracts with Urban Corps of San Diego for trash abatement, litter and encampment cleanup related to persons experiencing homelessness. Urban Corps works very closely with Public Works and the Homeless Outreach Team, and they are responsible for responding and triaging any incoming cleanup requests based on health and safety for homelessness on city property. The contractor has the capacity to request additional staff for large encampment cleanups or major city events. Additional collaborations The city collaborates with many stakeholders in the community to reduce homelessness. Homelessness impacts all aspects of a community, so it truly takes a village to solve it. Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 19 of 24 MIRA.COSTA ~COLLEGE i J:, I Alliance for . • Regional Solut1ons ~.~ ,-...,_ C.onn~ctHIS Nortll -·•r !AIIO[~[OOKTI --5-CARLSBA,0 ,,,,_ (1 Tri-Gty Medical Center • lizltranF . ·n~ Carhbad Villafe R•to0al1 Pl I @JHIP lj 0 R glo"el Teak Fore on Homelessness NORTH TRANSIT DISTRICT G e Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 15 Each quarter, staff will include one or more success stories of real people who were connected to community services as a result of the city’s homeless response efforts. These are their stories, which they have given the city permission to share. Their names have been changed to protect their confidentiality. Meet William Male, age: 60 Years homeless: 32 years, 10 months Permanently housed: April 2022 William lived outside and in his car for decades after a tragic incident left him partially blind and with only disability income to live on. He was connected to the Homeless Outreach Team, Community Resource Center, City of Carlsbad Housing Navigation and People Assisting the Homeless when he received an Emergency Housing Voucher through the County of San Diego. After months of trying to locate a unit in Oceanside to be close to his school, he found a place in Carlsbad where he moved to in April. He’s building a community there and continuing his studies at a local college. What worked • Homeless Outreach Team worked with William, checking in with him and connecting him to local resources. They provided a motel voucher immediately prior to his move-in to help him stabilize and gather his paperwork to make the transition to housing. • The Housing Navigator helped him use his Emergency Housing Voucher in Carlsbad to subsidize his rent. Together they looked for units and finally found one locally in a senior complex. • Through the city’s Rapid Re-housing contract with the Community Resource Center, William got help with his first month’s rent, security deposit and stabilization support along with some household items to help him settle in his new home. William is adjusting to his new life and grateful to be inside. Success stories Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 20 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 16 The Silva Family Single mother with children ages 1-11 Years homeless: 1 Placed in motel program: May 2022 Patrol officers first encountered Daniella and her four children, ages 11, 3, 2 and 1 at the beginning of May 2022. Daniella spoke little English, had no money and was fleeing from a very violent home environment. They arrived from north of Carlsbad and routinely moved around living out of their vehicle. The patrol officers referred the family to the Homeless Outreach Team and Interfaith clinicians. They started to help the family by providing them three nights of housing with the city’s emergency hotel voucher program. They also provided gift cards for gas, food and clothing as the family had very limited resources. Interfaith clinicians worked with the Crisis House staff, who stepped in and provided housing with a motel voucher program in a neighboring city. The Crisis House also provides case management and bridges families into housing. The family is working with the Crisis House to establish a safe and permanent solution. What worked • The limited-term stay hotel voucher pilot program provided immediate shelter to a family of five. • Flexible funding allowed the family to receive gas, food and clothing gift cards to meet their basic needs. • Our Homeless Outreach Team and the Interfaith Clinicians remained committed to the family and leveraged resources dedicated to domestic violence. Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 21 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 17 Staff have experienced some 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 Carlsbad is fortunate to have multiple service providers now operating programs within the city. As the city and county continue to add more programs, it will be critical for all agencies to continue 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 Q4, city staff continued to facilitate case conferencing meetings with the service providers in the City of Carlsbad who are working with those experiencing homelessness. This is a recurring monthly meeting that includes training, case conferencing and resource coordination. Data collection Staff continue to look at additional ways to refine the city’s data collection to allow for more real-time information. All agencies providing homeless services in Carlsbad have now agreed to share data with the City of Carlsbad. Access to this additional data will allow for future reporting on the monthly inflow and outflow of all programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. With this additional data, city staff will continue to work to develop better metrics to measure progress towards the City Council’s goal. Limited housing resources There are a limited number of emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing resources in North County and elsewhere in San Diego County. Staff vacancies/transitions There has been transitions and position vacancies on the Housing & Homeless Services Department, Homeless Outreach Team and social worker team. These vacancies have caused an increase in workload on the team. However, we remain on track with implementing the work plan. Overcoming challenges Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 22 of 24 Reducing Homelessness Q4 Report: April - June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ 18 City staff have several projects on the horizon: • Staff will propose an updated work program, as part of the City Council five-year strategic plan currently being developed, and an updated Homeless Response Plan. City staff will return to the City Council with a new work program after City Council direction is received on both the Strategic Plan and the Homeless Response Plan update. • Community Resource Center is expected to start serving clients in the Employment and Benefit Specialist program in the first quarter of FY 2022-23. • Catholic Charities will be adding two new clinicians at the La Posada de Guadalupe Homeless Shelter and staff will be receiving training and technical assistance from OrgCode Consulting Inc. Upcoming work Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 23 of 24 Exhibit 2 Dec. 7, 2021 City Council staff report (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Aug. 30, 2022 Item #13 Page 24 of 24 From: To: Subject: Date: Patricia Hewett City Clerk carlsbad Agenda Item 13 on 8/30/22 Tuesday, August 30, 2022 12:37:42 PM All Receive -A,~nda Item#\ 3 For the Information of the: CITY COUNCl,L. / DatEKi~n.~ _✓cc_ CM _~_ACM_-./_DCM(3) °:;/ I have recently encountered a mother who has been housing her alcoholic son because there were no beds in every detox or rehab facility she called. Her son (let's call him Joe} eventually detoxed at home, a very excruciating thing to go through and watch someone go through. Now that Joe is sober, he and his mother have tried to find a SAFE shelter where he can continue to heal, get a job and then move on to a better life. Yes, I said SAFE. Joe's past . experience in rehab facilities has shown him that most of the people in them go right back to alcohol and drugs which are easily obtained from outside sourc~s. They looked into a SAFE HOUSE but the cost is exorbitant. They tried the North County Mobile Crisis Center who said he would have to live on the streets before they could help because there was nothing available. This aging mother is stressed because her son is doing well right now and looking for work but she cannot afford to shelter him at home. I ask you to please take the homeless situation in Carlsbad seriously. Of course, not all homeless people are alcoholics & drug addicts. The cost of living has driven many good people to live in their cars and on the streets. I know it is a matter of money but some cities have done things such as turning old buildings into livable spaces for their homeless population. and actually building new apartments for them. If they can do it, why can;t Carlsbad! CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Ana Alarcon From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Good morning, Robert Stonebrqok <stonebrook@roadrunner.com> Monday, August 29, 2022 10:58 AM City Clerk Priya Bhat-Patel All Receive -Agenda Item# il For the Information of the: CITY COUNCIL Date ~/vt.li'LcA v' cc i/ CMx__ACMLDCM{3) v City Council Meeting 8/30; Agenda Item #13 Homeless Quarterly Update Very much appreciate that Carlsbad is working diligently on the homelessness issue. In our town, none of our neighbors should be sleeping on the streets. Please, if staff could elaborate on the following: 1. Of the 749 unduplicated contacts that did not accept shelter, can staff give a summary of the outcomes of those interactions? 2. After doing this for a year, can staff provide an indication of how much housing, and what type of housing (independent living, assisted living, mental health placement, etc), would be required to reach our 50% goal? Thank you, Bob Stonebrook CAUTION: Do not o en attachments or click on finks unless 1 Ana Alarcon From: Sent: To: Subject: kelly.leberthon 12@gmail.com Monday, August 29, 2022 12:38 PM City Clerk City Council Mtg 8/30/2022 Homeless Agenda item: 13. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Homeless Agenda item: 13. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE I know a Carlsbad resident who is about to be homeless. He is an alcoholic ... but is sober now, and the reason he has nowhere to land -even w/ all the superfunded housing for homeless -is because "everyone in those places do drugs and alcohol." He is self aware enough to know that if he is living in that situation, he will go back to drinking again and will revert back to his addiction. This is a personal anecdote; however, studies confirm this. ""Treatment First" programs have demonstrated robust results. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has run a multi- decade study on intensive housing and treatment programs for the homeless that get people off the streets, into recovery, connected with employment, and eventually on to independent living." Read more here: https://christopherrufo.com/homelessness-in- america/#easy-footnote-bottom-6-1965 The programs that have failed -Roomkey, Homekey, 'low barrier' and Housing First programs -which come with millions of federal, state and county dollars -free money which is actually tax payer money so not free at all -come at an even greater cost than high dollars. That cost is human life. Roomkey, Low barrier and Housing First programs enable the addicted to continue in their pathologies. "San Francisco launched Project Roomkey ... starting in April 2020, a few thousand were routed to leased "shelter-in-place" (SIP) hotels and motels. However, since so many were living outside as a direct result of substance use (or mental illnesses associated with or exacerbated by it), lethal drug activity flourished in and around the buildings. Then came the body count. In 2020, San Francisco saw 713 fatal drug overdoses, mostly from fentanyl. Nearly three-quarters perished while isolated inside the hotel rooms and supportive housing provided by the city. Six died in the Hotel Whitcomb, a designated SIP hotel, in a single month. The reason: Project Roomkey hotels offer no addiction-recovery treatment or mental health care. Nor is there a sobriety requirement. Residents do, however, get plenty of fresh needles, fentanyl foil, and other drug supplies, courtesy of the harm-reduction teams." https://www.city-journal.org/san-francisco-substance-abuse-crisis 1 Some consider this compassionate -let them get high, so long as there is a roof over their head. I do not consider this to be compassionate. Compassion to me is helping those living in drug addiction and mental illness a way out of the prison of addiction -and offer them the help to lead to a productive and independent life. I urge council to reject these failed programs that come w/ lots of money, be they are proven failures -even San Francisco and Los Angeles get it -this is not a partisan issue -it is a common sense issue. It takes courage to reject the 'free money' -for proof that housing programs requiring sobriety work, look no further than Solutions for Change -a super successful program at lifting the addicted, not only out of homelessness, but into productive lives, education and job training, and meeting the needs of their families. That is Success. And they do it without state or federal money, because they know the disastrous effect Low barrier/Housing First has on the lives of those living in addiction. CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 2 Ana Alarcon From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: rfamylee@hotmail.com Monday, August 29, 2022 2:21 PM Scott Chadwick; Matthew Hall; Keith Blackburn; Peder Norby; Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat- Patel; City Clerk; Sheila Cobian In advance of tomorrow's meeting ... Corner State and Grand-1125, 8-29-2022Jpg; Train Station-1133, 8-29-2022Jpg The homeless problem is far from being resolved. The attached photos were taken today as captioned. Respectfully, Dr. Robert Lee (760) 207-2365 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless 1 REDUCING HOMELESNESS QUARTERLY REPORT April 1 -June 30, 2022 Mandy Mills, Director Housing & Homeless Services Chris Shilling, Senior Program Manager Housing & Homeless Services Darbie Ernst, Lieutenant Carlsbad Police Department {city of Carlsbad 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. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE {city of Carlsbad Comprehensive Plan HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE SOCIAL WORKERS REGIONAL II COLLABORATION • ,_a • TEMPORARY ~ [] 'aT,' SHELTER r.~· ~ ~® ... I•~ ~ TIT I LU UPDATED LAWS • • • • CLEANING, ~ ____...,._ "" SANITATION ~ I\ I\ COMPASSIONATE { City of tt -ENFORCEMENT Carlsbad c:::c:: Approved Work Plan •Most Fiscal Year 2021-22 tasks completed •Enhancement of clinical services at La Posada Shelter underway HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE FY 2021/22 Work Plan Progress wort plan tasks WKe identified to be accomplished Clltff various stages during the fiscal yeillr. All wor1I: p1an tasks that were identified robe complete for Ql, Ql, m and Q4 ha...e been completed within the identified tmeline and blqet willl the excepuon of the 1~ foU' objectives listed under the enhancement or cirvcal seMCes at La Posada Emefli:encyShelter.• Those are on track for completion inOCtober 2022. Empw,yTnent ;and benefits specialist llecnit t!K" two new Home~~ Clutre11t1 Tum officrn Cruu:ftl~/r~bif mentm.oD t1Wenl'l1nce11Ho~~0utre1chTe1m DewbQ1naorDVi11en.eaza trai • tornewMDmell!:::.sOU'IJ'HUITumme._'!'IMrs l~n rrurtrie.:1'0rd1tlltokd:ion l"al1!",e.rwith:.cicil wmen1t11mttteCo11ntyoifS1nDiei;.o'"icontrKt:.wittltheN'ortt, Co11ntyHOIT'~ Pilotl"ro5nL'TI IDCI PATH WortPlonTrmelm11 ~:.~~e!,:,,~°'>,:~"',po"'''"':"~'!.t~'~~C,,•C,,~,S,';'M~•.c,c~ la~,-~•""""'~ ... ~,;,,,-','::;:','.=~<o,,,,,_~~"'~"c':''!cri~=•=-~a~;~~· ;,,.,."', ""-'""''-Q1 Q1. Q,3 Q.4 1nd1dcf1ior11ltninin ft,r:;tafl' Umited-term St.ii Erne Hotel Voucher Pilot Pro 1-n ■l"!d 1rtner witt, ho rnat<!cl wndor.: Tntin Horne:~.:. ovtre1th learn, Ol'!i= uia ~citl wort en fln?•re p~lic ir.!om'ini:in&J m1WW: ,,.,,,,.,,,e I rel)Ofttottie CityCOuncir [~er l'ir;t::ix m.ontri~.,.d roeowii,c.t~ U-mOl'ltll •ra..'TI to aetennWle ir 1he ,oro 111m ~houkl be conti-tued 11n or moairiea Dew.1opant1r'l'lpl!:'ne11tacor.'lnlct..,;t11tr..-!:i..i~anesocitty lledixin,HOll'lallll6.I Q411e~:April·June202l __________________ _ Redixin; Homelenne~ Q4Report:April•Ju...,202l _________________ _ {city of Carlsbad Budget Report HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE $6,854,310* Total budget Remaining$1,107,907 $2,646,403Spent to date *$3,100,000Removed from hotel voucher budget Budget Report HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Police Dept Personnel$1,674,211 Community Resource Center(Rapid rehousing, other housing assistance)$197,147 Housing & Homeless Services Personnel$389,758 Portable toilets$22,831Urban Corps(Encampment and trash cleanup)$88,540 Interfaith Community Services(Social workers)$261,134 Hotel vouchers$12,781 Q4 AT A GLANCEUnduplicated contacts Shelter placements12 Transitioned to permanent housing 14 324 EncampmentCLEANUPSNIGHTS Police calls for service2,701Hotel voucher 46 17 tttt tttt tttt YEAR IN REVIEWUnduplicated contacts Shelter placements62 Transitioned to permanent housing 110 749 EncampmentCLEANUPSNIGHTS Police calls for service7,455Hotel voucher 95 50 tttt tttt tttt Outreach expansion Increased coordination with local service providers Improved data sharing HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Year in Review {city of Carlsbad •Community Resource Center Employment and Benefits Specialist implementation •Enhancing La Posada Emergency Shelter •Catholic Charities clinician services •OrgCode Consulting training and technical assistance •Shelter expansion HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Work Plan Update RESOURCE FAIRReceived healthcareservices Cases reviewed by Homeless Court58 Connected to services 25 22 Bridged to housing services Haircuts/Showers22ID holds removed 4 4 tt ·. ~ .. '' '" ''.. ... .. '' ,,tt • • • HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Urban Corps HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Shopping carts collected 17 Encampment cleanups 17 • Police Calls for Service HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE 2,701 calls 1,342 officer initiated 1,359 dispatched 11% Related to homelessness {city of Carlsbad Police Calls for Service HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Percentage of all calls for services Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Homeless-related calls for services 9% 13% 10% 11% Homeless-related arrests 17% 18% 16% 8% Homeless-related citations 4% 16% 18% 19% Homeless-related mental health holds 20% 3% 9% 13% {city of Carlsbad Emergency Vouchers HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Hotel voucher nights Shelter placements 15 Individuals 3 46 Transitioned to permanent housing 3 • ' ~ The Silva FamilyPatrol officers encountered Daniella and her four children, ages 11, 3, 2 and 1. She spoke little English, had no money and was fleeing from a very violent home environment. HOT provided 3 nights in a motel. They also provided gift cards for gas, food and clothing as they had almost nothing. Interfaith clinicians worked with the Crisis House for access to a motel voucher program in a neighboring city. The Crisis House also provides case management and bridges families into housing. The family is working with the Crisis House to establish a safe and permanent solution. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE {city of Carlsbad •The Limited Stay Motel Voucher Pilot Program provided immediate shelter to a family of five. •Flexible Funding allowed the family to receive gas, food and clothing gift cards to meet their basic needs. •Our Homeless Outreach Team and the Interfaith clinicians remained committed to the family and leveraged resources dedicated to domestic violence. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE What Worked William’s Story William lived outside and in his car for decades after a tragic incident left him partially blind and with only disability income to live on. He was connected to the Homeless Outreach Team, Community Resource Center, City of Carlsbad Housing Navigation and People Assisting the Homeless when he received an Emergency Housing Voucher through the County of San Diego. After months of trying to locate a unit in Oceanside to be close to his school, he found a place in Carlsbad where he moved to in April. He’s building a community there and continuing his studies at a local college. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE •Homeless Outreach Team worked with William, checking in with him and connecting him to local resources, including a motel voucher. •The Housing Navigator helped him move his emergency housing voucher back to the County of San Diego and then to the Carlsbad Housing Agency to subsidize his rent. Together they looked for units and finally found one locally in a senior complex. •Through the city’s Rapid Re-housing contract with the Community Resource Center, William was successfully transitioned to permanent housing. •William is adjusting to his new life and grateful to be inside. HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE What Worked Strategic Plan goal and work plan Update Homeless Response Plan La Posada shelter expansion Staffing updates HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE Upcoming {city of Carlsbad Questions HOMELESS QUARTERLY UPDATE {city of Carlsbad