HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-10; Community-Police Engagement Commission; ; Homelessness Action Plan PresentationMeeting Date:
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Community-Police Engagement Commission
Staff Report
July 10, 2023
Community-Police Engagement Commission
Sheila Cobian, Director of Legislative·~ Constituent Services
Chris Shilling, Homeless Services Manager
chris.shilling@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2284
Jessica Klein, Senior Program Manager
jessica.klein@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5973
Homelessness Action Plan Presentation
All
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation regarding the City's Homelessness Action Plan.
Executive Summary
Staff will provide presentation regarding the Homelessness Action Plan.
Fiscal Analysis
This action has no fiscal impact.
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project
within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public
Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical
change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Exhibits
1. February 2023 Homelessness Action Plan
2. FY 2022-23 Sem i-Annual Homelessness Action Plan Progress Report
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXEC UTI VE SUMM A RY ............................................. 4
PLA N PUR POSE & ST RU CT U RE ................................... 7
BACKG ROUND ............................ , .......................... 9
SCOPE OF T H E LOCA L ISS U E .................................... 1 1
REG I O NAL RES PO NSE PLA N S .................................... 1 3
COM MUNI TY INPUT ............................................... 20
KEY AR EAS O F FOCUS ............................................ 31
KEY STRATEG I ES & INTIAT IV ES ....................... 36
DAT A/TRACK IN G PR OGR ESS .................................... 49
A PPENDI CES ........................................................ 51
PO INT IN T I ME COUN T DATA
COORD IN AT I O N W ITH CITY DEPA RTMENTS
BE N CHM ARK EXP LA N A TI O NS A ND DEFINIT I ON S
HOMELESS NESS ACTION PLAN
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Executive summary
Homelessness is an issue affecting nearly every community throughout the United States. The
Carlsbad City Council has identified addressing homelessness as a top priority. As a result, the
City of Carlsbad has dedicated the resources to be a regional leader in planning, coordinating
and implementing strategies to address homelessness. While coordi nating and leading
homelessness efforts within Carlsbad, the city also recognizes that efforts to end homelessness
require the collaboration of solution-focused partners including the local Continuum of Care,
County of San Diego, other North County cities, local nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
The city leverages these partnerships and seeks to strategically deploy resources to address any
gaps within the existing homeless service system.
Geographically Carlsbad is in the North County Region of San Diego County. North County
represents the largest sub-region in San Diego with a diverse geography. Carlsbad is located
directly along the coastline, making it part of the North Coastal area. The North Coastal area
contains some of the most expensive housing in the county located within the cities of
Carlsbad, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas and Oceanside. Additionally, the 2022 annual Point
in Time Count identified that about 16%, or at least 1,442 people, of the San Diego region's
homeless population on any given night is in North County.
The City of Carlsbad originally developed a Homeless Response Plan in 2017. This plan was
designed to "serve as a foundation to develop a more comprehensive, longer term strategic
plan to continue to shape the city's efforts to address the impacts of homelessness on the
residents, the larger community and the city itself." In carrying out the original plan, the city
made significant progress on the originally outlined objectives and expanded the plan to
include a City Council adopted goal and a work plan in 2021. The city has since established and
staffed a Homeless & Housing Services Department and has made consistent progress in
implementing programs and projects aimed at addressing and reducing homelessness. The city
is no longer just responding to the prevalence of homelessness, it is taking proactive action to
reduce the impacts of homelessness on the community. As a result, the title of the plan has
been changed from the Homeless Response Plan to the Homelessness Action Plan. This title
better reflects the city's efforts in taking direct action to address the issue of homelessness.
The City of Carlsbad has a number of policies and plans already in place that touch issues
related to homelessness (like the Housing Element of the General Plan and a Consolidated Plan
that establishes priorities for federal funding). Each plan establishes priorities and programs
toward its specific objectives. The updated Homelessness Action Plan is intended to
consolidate the city's policy statements regarding homelessness. The Homelessness Action
Plan does not replace those policy documents but synthesizes them into one cohesive guiding
plan. The Homelessness Action Plan will be the city's foundational document of homelessness
strategies and actions. All future plans or policy documents with homelessness components
will strategically align with this plan.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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Homelessness is a complex issue that requires the resources, expertise and cooperation of
many different entities. The city's efforts will be concentrated within three key areas it can
influence. These areas comprise "what" the city will focus on.
Shelter and housing
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS --------
Outreach and access to services
1-I 1-I 1-I * 1-I 1-I 1-I
6 Public safety
' The plan also identifies key strategies which are "how" the city will make impacts within the
main areas of focus. The four strategies are:
Strategy #1
Develop and maintain the city's capacity to prevent and reduce
homelessness and its impacts on the community.
Strategy #2
Coordinate, collaborate and support local efforts and organizations
working to address homelessness in Carlsbad.
Strategy #3
Retain, protect and increase the supply of housing and other affordable
living options in Carlsbad.
Strategy #4
Be active in external policy issues to influence strategies and impacts to
the city and region.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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This Homelessness Action Plan has been developed to update the homelessness goal (approved
by the City Council on Oct. 11, 2022), areas of focus, strategies and measurable
objectives/benchmarks related to homelessness. It is intended to provide consistent focus on
key strategies and initiatives to build the momentum needed to achieve results. However, the
city operates in a dynamic environment and must consider unanticipated needs, changing
community priorities and emergel"!cies, all of which could require a different direction or
allocation of resources. As such, the city will update its plan periodically, to respond to changing
conditions. City staff anticipate this plan incorporates needs and actions for approximately five
years.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
City Council homelessness goal
Enhance the quality of life for everyone in Carlsbad by adopting and implementing an updated
Homeless 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.
Plan purpose
The Homelessness Action Plan establishes and consolidates key strategies and initiatives in
response to the city's goal related to homelessness. The City of Carlsbad has a number of
policies and plans already in place that touch issues related to homelessness. Each plan
establishes priorities and programs toward their specific objectives. This Homelessness Action
Plan is intended to consolidate the city's policy statements regarding homelessness. The
Homelessness Action Plan does not replace those policy documents but attempts to synthesize
them into one cohesive guiding plan. The Homelessness Action Plan will be the city's
foundational document of homelessness strategies and actions. All future plans or policy
documents with homelessness components will strategically align with this plan.
The plan identifies the city's role in coordinating the homelessness efforts for the city as well as
the measurements the city will use to track progress towards reaching the City Council's
homelessness goal. Like the city's Strategic Plan, the Homelessness Action Plan is intended to:
-rt-, • • •
*
Focus
Narrow the strategies for resources to be focused, increasing results.
Momentum
Provide clear and consistent policy direction to city staff, enabling the
momentum needed to achieve major goals important to Carlsbad
Alignment
Create better alignment between City Council policy direction and the
operational realities of day-to-day city operations. -------------
Connection
Connect city efforts to the fulfillment of the City Council's goal.
Accountability
Identify key indicators of success.
HOMELESSNESS ACTI ON PLAN
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Plan structure
The long-term plan includes high-level policy direction and strategies. Existing services that
assist with achieving the overall goa l are identified, if necessary, toward continued service
commitment. Specific resource needs will be presented each year and included in the city's
annual budget. Identifying all services in one consolidated funding plan allows city staff to
more easily identify gaps, duplication or alternate funding resources. Staff will conduct a
comprehensive evaluation of future service needs as part of an annual report to the City
Council.
Homelessness Action Plan
Strategies Initiatives
resource needs
~ budget 1
Key strat egies for how the
city will make impacts within
the main areas of focus.
2026-27
Annual
resource .needs
& budget
Initiatives that support each
strategy.
Strategies Initiatives
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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Background
In 2017 the City of Carlsbad created its first Homeless Response Plan to address the growing
prevalence of individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents and other community
members, including business owners, asked the city to address this challenging issue and
associated impacts. Based on input from a working group consisting of staff from Police, Fire,
Library, Parks & Recreation, Public Works and the City Attorney's Office, the City of Carlsbad
created its first plan. Since then, the city has taken a number of proactive steps in addressing
homelessness and its impact on the community.
2017
Homeless Response Plan adopted.
Homeless Outreach Team created within Police Department.
2018
City contracts with Interfaith Community Services to provide licensed clinicians to
conduct street-based homeless outreach and case management.
2019
City hires first Homeless Program Manager.
2020
MAY
City contracts with Community Resource Center to provide case management and
housing stability resources for individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
SEPTEMBER
North County Homeless Working Group is founded by Carlsbad's Homeless Program
Manager. The group includes representation from all eight North County cities, the
Regional Task Force on Homelessness and the County of San Diego.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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2021
MARCH
City Council establishes Fiscal Year 2021-22 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 population or five years.-Directs
staff to develop a work plan.
MAY
City Council adopts the final work plan and work plan objective costs. Part of the work
plan establishes the city's Housing & Homeless Services Department to oversee
implementation of the Homeless Response Plan.
JULY
City hires first Director of Housing & Homeless Services.
SEPTEMBER
City Council adopts a quality of life ordinance package and approves an updated
work plan, which includes a short-term motel voucher program.
DECEMBER
Housing & Homeless Services Department presents first quarterly report to the City
Council.
2022
MARCH
City Council directs staff to update the city homelessness goal and the Homeless
Response Plan.
JULY
City contracts with Community Resource Center to provide an Employment &
Benefits Specialist, with Catholic Charities to provide clinician services at the La
Posada de Guadalupe shelter, and with OrgCode Consulting to provide training
and technical assistance to Catholic Charities for their work at the La Posada de
Guadalupe shelter.
OCTOBER
City Council approves the updated city homelessness goal as part of the Five-Year
Strategic Plan.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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Scope of the local issue
The San Diego region has consistently ranked among the top regions in the nation with the
highest numbers of people experiencing homelessness. According to the 2022 Point in Time
Count there were a minimum of 8,427 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in
February 2022, with almost half living unsheltered. The region did not conduct an unsheltered
Point in Time Count in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The count has found that about
16% (or at least 1,442 people) of the San Diego region's homeless population on any given night
is in North County with cities such as Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas and
unincorporated areas such as Fallbrook experiencing large populations of unsheltered
homelessness.
The 2022 Point in Time Count identified 43 sheltered and 75 unsheltered for a total of 118
individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. This represents a 20% decrease from the
2020 count. The North Coastal area had a total of 745 individuals experiencing homelessness,
which repres·ented a 20% increase. Additional demographic data from the Point in Time Count
is included in Appendix A.
Point in Time Count data 2020 2022 Change
Carlsbad sheltered 54 43 -20%
Carlsbad unsheltered 94 75 -20%
Carlsbad total 148 118 -20%
North County Coastal total 621 745 +20%
While the Point in Time Count represents a one-night snapshot, the Carlsbad homeless
quarterly report data has identified that, over a 12-month period, 749 unduplicated individuals
experiencing homelessness were encountered by homeless services programs funded by the
city.
The 2022 Housing Inventory Count shows limited shelter and housing options within North
County to meet the needs of the North County homeless population. There are only 167 shelter
beds in North County. Of these, 26 beds are only available in the winter through a church
shelter network. This leaves only 141 year-round beds for 1,442 people experiencing
homelessness in North County, with 50 of these beds restricted to single males.
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Since 2015 there has not been a significant increase in the number of permanent homeless
dedicated interventions in North County. The total number of emergency shelter beds (except
for a spike from 2021-2022 due to temporary COVID-19-related motel vouchers) rapid re-
housing and permanent supportive housing has remained relatively flat, while the North
County has seen a significant decline in transitional housing beds.
North County Homeless Housing Inventory Count
1000
800
600
400
200
0 -I I. I. bll 1.1 I.I .II
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
■ Emergency Shelter ■ Rapid Re-Housing ■ Transitional Housing ■ Permanent Supportive Housing
While the transitional housing resources have decreased throughout the region in recent
years, the North County region has not seen any significant increase in other resources (such as
emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing), likely contributing to the
increase in visible street homelessness throughout the region.
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Part of a shared framework
Addressing the homelessness issue requires regional cooperation and contributions from a
variety of stakeholders, including homeless services providers, faith-based organizations, law
enforcement, healthcare partners, the education sector, philanthropy, business partners, cities
and the County of San Diego. Many cities and stakeholders across the region have been
working to develop so lutions to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in
our communities. As a result, different entities throughout the county have developed
homelessness plans, policies and standards in recent years. The City of Carlsbad has taken these
documents and the shared framework of addressing homelessness into consideration in the
development of this Homelessness Action Plan.
Regional response plans
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness is a countywide regional body designated by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development to be the San Diego Continuum of Care. The
Continuum of Care is tasked with bringing together stakeholders with a common goal to end
homelessness and develop and implement strategies and funding plans to achieve this goal.
The regional plans identify core principles that guide actions and decision making in the region.
While not a direct requirement for the City of Carlsbad to mirror the Continuum of Care, these
principles and policies impact homelessness collaboration, partnerships and funding allocations
throughout the region. City staff contribute regularly in regional conversations to represent
local needs and collaborate for greater impact.
Regional Community Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in San Diego
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness has developed a
Regional Community Action Plan to Prevent and End
Homelessness in San Diego that is intended to align
stakeholders around a shared vision, common principles,
clear goals and priorities and core strategies that will move
the region forward. This regional plan informs and guides
regional policy, funding and action, identifies shared
measures to evaluate performance and identifies where
additional infrastructure is needed to implement plan
goals. The plan was released in October 2022.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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Coordinated Community Plan to End Youth Homelessness
In 2018, the San Diego Continuum of Care was awarded the largest HUD Youth Homelessness
Demonstration Program grant in the country. This two-year funding spurred the creation of the
region's Coordinated Community Plan to End Youth Homelessness which identified the goal of
ending youth homelessness by 2024.
San Diego Continuum of Care Board Action Plan: Addressing Homelessness
Among Black San Diegans
The Action Plan: Addressing Homelessness Among Black San Diegans, released in September
2022, was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Addressing Homelessness Among Black San
Diegans. It provides detailed recommendations to reduce and eliminate disparities in the
homeless services system.
Continuum of Care policy guidelines on unshertered homelessness
In January 2020 the San Diego Continuum of Care Advisory Board adopted a set of Policy
Guidelines for Regional Response for Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments
Throughout San Diego County that outline policy expectations to meet the needs of people
experiencing unsheltered homelessness based on national best practices. The policy includes
ending activities that criminalize homelessness, promoting the use of non-law enforcement
personnel to engage people on the street and taking a clearance with support framework for
encampments that requires coordination across all partners for successful resolution. The
Regional Task Force on Homelessness developed the policy in consultation with community
partners and HUD technical assistance staff.
Building on the unsheltered policy, the Regional Task Force on Homelessness identified best-
practices for the provision of street outreach services. In the Fall of 2020, the Continuum of
Care Advisory Board adopted an enhanced set of Street Outreach Standards that outline
service expectations for street outreach workers across the region. The standards focus on
ensuring a housing focused, trauma-informed and relationship-based engagement. Many
public funders, including the City of Carlsbad and the County of San Diego, include the
standards in their contract requirements for providing street outreach services.
Standards, learning collaborative and training
The San Diego Continuum of Care sets standards for the provision of homeless services. The
Community Standards outline minimum expectations for providing quality housing and services
and are based on proven best practices. The Continuum of Care also supports the system with
adhering to and practicing the standards. Additionally, in the last few years, the Regional Task
Force on Homelessness has taken a lead role with creating focused learning collaboratives and
contracting with national experts to provide training in diversion, street outreach and rapid re-
housing.
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North County Homeless Action Plan
In 2020 a group of North County mayors* and other key stakeholders adopted a North County
Homeless Action Plan that identified the following goals:
1. Reduce unsheltered street homelessness 50% by January 2022
2. Increase short-term housing options needed for people experiencing
homelessness today
3. Increase long-term housing options to end homelessness for people
experiencing homelessness or who are in shelter today
*Includes the cities of: Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana
Beach and Vista
Local response plans
Within the county, a number of cities have developed action plans to identify local efforts to
address homelessness. Other local cities including Encinitas, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, La
Mesa and San Diego have also developed community action plans in the last four years. The
common themes for municipal response s address increasing temporary and permanent
housing, reducing impacts on the community, collaborating with community providers to
coordinate services and leveraging resources.
Plan
City of Encinitas Homeless
Action Plan
City of Escondido Strategy for
Addressing Homelessness and
Transiency
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
Year
2021
2021
Goals
• Increase the capacity of the city and the community to end
homelessness in Encinitas through the development of a
collaborative community driven approach.
• Decrease the number of individuals experiencing
homelessness through demand-driven, person-based
homeless response and supportive housing services system.
• Increase the availability of temporary and permanent
housing.
• To eliminate the negative impact of homelessness and
transiency on our community.
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Plan
City of La Mesa Homeless Action
Plan
City of Vista Strategic Plan to
Address Homelessness
City of San Diego Community
Action Plan on Homelessness
City of Oceanside
Comprehensive Homeless
Strategy
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
Year
2021
2020
2019
2019
Goals
• Enhance the city's public communication and coordination
related to the homeless.
• Improve the city's ability to prevent homelessness, provide
direct outreach to the homeless population, address public
safety, and respond to nonemergency calls for service.
• Expand the city's ability to connect homeless residents to
transitional and permanent housing opportunities
• Identify viable one-time and ongoing grant funding
opportunities.
• Prevent homelessness
• Improve quality of life
• Reduce homelessness
• Decrease unsheltered homelessness.by 50%.
• Finish the job of ending veteran homelessness.
• Prevent and end youth homelessness as outlined in the San
Diego County Coordinated Community Plan to End Youth
Homelessness.
• Oceanside's Comprehensive Homeless Strategy serves as a
report on the current status of homelessness in the city, its
impact on efforts underway, and provides a framework for
integrated and coordinated approaches to help the
homeless situation. The city cannot respond to this county
and statewide crisis on its own. Many homeless individuals
suffer from substance abuse and/or mental health issues
which far exceed a city's ability to respond. Clearly, the
County of San Diego which is tasked with "community
health" responsibilities, needs to take on an even greater
role in Oceanside and North County to make meaningful
progress. The state, county, city and the nonprofit
community need to work in concert to make meaningful
progress.
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City of Carlsbad policies and plans
In addition to the regional framework of addressing homelessness, there are a number of city
policies and plans already in place which identify actions or resources impacting homelessness.
These policies and plans are threaded into this Homelessness Action Plan. The strategies in this
plan are intended to include and complement existing plans. Instead of repeating policy
statements or actions from each of these plans, city staff will implement companion policies
and programs identified in the plans included below:
COMPANION PLANS -
City of Carlsbad Strategic Plan
Age Friendly Carlsbad 5-Year Plan
Carlsbad Housing Agency Annual Plan
Water Quality Improvement Plan
Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan
Housing Element of the General Plan
Jurisdictional Runoff Management Plan
Sustainable Materials Management Plan
Permanent Local Housing Allocation Plan
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
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~
July 10, 2023
Community input
In the development of this Homelessness Action Plan city staff have made significant efforts to
receive feedback from many sources. This feedback was used to identify shared themes which
helped shape the direction of strategies, initiatives and actions.
Feedback from residents
The City of Carlsbad Communication & Engagement Department worked with Dialogue
Partners, a firm specializing in public participation and community engagement, to design and
implement a public involvement strategy to engage City of Carlsbad community members and
gather their input. Feedback opportunities included four virtual community meetings (one for
each council district) and an online engagement survey which was open from May 27 to June
13, 2021. A total of 218 people participated in the virtual meetings and 427 people completed
the on line engagement survey.
c:E:J What we heard
There was consensus that homelessness had increased over the last five years. People were
concerned about the impacts to the community such as encampments, abandoned trash,
people outwardly disturbing the peace of the public and individuals sleeping in public spaces
such as parks during hours when children are trying to use the park. There was a concern about
criminal activity and general perception of safety. There seemed to be a common theme that
homelessness is a complex issue, and that Carlsbad was not responsible nor in a position to
reduce homelessness on its own. There also seemed to be consensus that the city should take a
stance and act now to do what it can to reduce homelessness and the impacts to the
community. There was a wide array of opinions, however, about how to approach reducing
homelessness.
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Feedback from people with lived experience
The City of Carlsbad Housing & Homeless Services and Communication & Engagement
departments held two focus groups to solicit input from people with lived experience. In order
to develop a plan that responds to identified needs, it is important to acknowledge that people
closest to the problem are often closest to the solution.
Cq What we heard
The feedback groups shed light on many aspects of the homeless response with key takeaways
around programs that are missing and populations that aren't being adequately served. There
were many gaps highlighted around people with disabilities not being able to access needed
services. Accommodations are not always accessible, sought or upheld for the unhoused
population. In addition, there are barriers and inequitable access for people exiting the prison
system, women and for people of color.
A number of new programs were proposed including a storage locker system for people's
possessions so they can go to work or access services and have a safe place to store personal
items, a day labor clean-up program that is connected to a motel voucher, increased options for
permanent housing like shared housing and roommate matching or storage sheds to live in
temporarily.
Feedback from service providers
The City of Carlsbad Housing & Homeless Services staff held a focus group with local service
providers to solicit their input on strengths, weaknesses and gaps related to homeless services
within the city.
Cq What we heard
There are many unavailable and underfunded resources that are necessary for people trying to
exit homelessness. The service providers identified these items as immediate needs: Motel
vouchers, bus passes, gas cards, money for car repairs, adequate access to showers and
laundry, storage and mail service. The shelter needs articulated included: Safe parking where
cars can be left through the day and oversized vehicles are permitted, shelter for women and
families and non-congregate shelter. The additional barriers to accessing housing identified
were: Affordable rental rooms or units, lack of credit or rental history, lack of income to afford
rent, units not allowing pets and lack of assets or proof of ability to pay rent.
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Systemwide the service providers identified these as the top concerns: Lack of continuity of
care through the system of providers, lack of mental health support to stabilize in housing and
lack of detox, rehab and crisis stabilization beds.
The service providers identified these as their priorities for reducing homelessness:
Development of single room occupancy units, incentives for landlords willing to rent to people
experiencing homelessness, long term support for those entering housing, long term assisted
living options for vulnerable and extremely low-income seniors, affordable long term RV
parking and available affordable housing options.
Feedback from city staff
The City of Carlsbad Housing & Homeless Services staff held a series of three meetings with
internal departments including the City Attorney's Office, Communication & Engagement,
Community Development, Fire, Housing & Homeless Services, Legislative Affairs, Library &
Cultural Arts, Parks & Recreation, Police and Public Works.
CT::J What we heard
There was consensus that homelessness is a complex issue and concern over how much impact
a city can have. There seemed to be concern about how to help individuals with mental health
or substance abuse issues, as most city employees are not trained on how to work with that
population. Staff encouraged more training on homelessness topics, resources awareness and
how to interact with people experiencing homelessness. The Library and Fire departments
identified specific initiatives to better serve individuals experiencing homelessness. The internal
city staff team helped identify their department's role for clearer delineation and
understanding. These roles are included in Appendix Band will deliver a more coordinated
approach across city departments.
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Previous City Council guidance
Since the original Homeless Response Plan was created in 2017, the City Council has provided
input on priorities for responding to the growing issue of homelessness. As a result, the
following priorities have been incorporated into the plan:
► Fully fund staff and implement the city's homelessness plan
► Create specific and measurable targets and timelines for reducing homelessness
► Prevent and end homelessness among youth and veterans
► Increase social services/social workers through partnership with the County of San
Diego
► Work with entities within our city (and region) to increase transitions to permanent
supportive housing
► Advocate for legislative changes needed to effectively addres_s homelessness
► Prevent homelessness by supporting those at risk of becoming homeless/losing their
housing
► Work through a regional group to develop a regional action plan that includes
integrated services within/among cities
► Develop an encampment cleanup policy to minimize visible encampments
► Focus on trauma informed care
► Focus on aggressive individuals to address their needs (substance abuse, mental health,
other)
► Explore expansion of the La Posada de Guadalupe Shelter
► Complete financial analysis to identify opportunities for quickest results
► Identify city and regional goals
► Emphasize affordable housing
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Current inventory of resources in Carlsbad
Homelessness impacts all aspects of a community, so it truly takes a collaborative effort to
solve it.
SUPPORTING CITY
DEPARTMENTS
LEVERAGED OR LOCAL
RESOURCES
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
• City Attorney's Office
• City Manager's Office
• Communication & Engagement
• Community Development
• Fire
• Library & Cultural Arts
• Parks & Recreation
• Police
• Public Works
• City General Fund
• Community Development Block Grant
• Housing Choice Voucher
• Housing Trust Fund
• Permanent Local Housing Allocation
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Regional collaboration
The city maintains formal partnerships with many organizations as well as coordinates and
collaborates with many regional stakeholders in the community to reduce homelessness. This
is not an exhaustive list, as there are many volunteers, groups and organizations supporting
efforts to reduce homelessness.
-~ MtRACOSTA
s~.~~Xql HlinWJ~~ • y COLLEGE
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~ CARLSBAD
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Generally, the City of Carlsbad does not directly provide social services. There are social services
that benefit the city which the City of Carlsbad contributes funding to support or contracts with
non-profit organizations to provide. There are also services provided within the city by social
service agencies, nonprofit organizations and religious organizations which are not funded by
the city. It is important that the city understands what resources are available to better identify
duplication or gaps in services.
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The following resources are not funded by the city but are important parts of the service
continuum for people experiencing homelessness. These resources are extremely limited
and not sufficient to meet the community need. As a result, the city will advocate for their
expansion throughout the region as appropriate.
Health services
Substance abuse
treatment
(t)
Benefits
Basic needs support
(food, hygiene, clothing)
Mental health services
The chart below identifies services financially supported by the City of Carlsbad. Consolidating
these services in the work program allows city staff to more easi ly identify gaps, duplication or
alternate funding resources. The annual work plan will continue to identify existing services to
best determine the most appropriate funding source.
Program Organization
Outreach
Homeless outreach & case Interfaith
management Community Services
Shelter
La Posada de Guadalupe Catholic Charities
Diocese of San
Diego
Bridge to housing shelter Alliance for Regional
network Solutions
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
City resources Source of city
(most recent Fiscal Year resources
2021-22)
$315,000 General Fund
$194,000* Community
Development Block
Grant, General
Fund
$25,000 Housing Trust Fund
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Program Organization City resources Source of city
(most recent Fiscal Year resources
2021-22)
Shelter
Women's Resource Center WRC (formerly $10,000 CDBG
Domestic Violence Shelter Women's Resource
Center)
Limited-term motel City of Carlsbad $100,000* General Fund
voucher program
Access & employment
Employment & Benefits Community $140,000* General Fund
Specialist Resource Center
Carlsbad Hiring Center Interfaith $204,217 General Fund
Community Services
Pet shelter
Pet shelter program San Diego Humane $29,825* General Fund
Society
Housing assistance
Housing navigation City of Carlsbad $72,000 Housing Trust Fund,
General Fund
Emergency rental & utility Interfaith $25,000 CDBG
assistance Community Services
Emergency rental & utility Community $20,000 CDBG
assistance Resource Center
Rapid rehousing Community $350,000* General Fund
Resource Center
Rental assistance Brother Benno's $10,073 CDBG
City service infrastructure
Homeless Outreach Team City of Carlsbad $1,929,790 General Fund
Police Department
Homeless services City of Carlsbad $714,317 General Fund
Housing & Homeless
Services
Encampment and Urban Corps $100,000 General Fund
abandoned trash clean up
Portable restrooms Rocket Johns $25,000 General Fund
TOTAL CITY RESOURCES $4,264,222
*Items funded in previous years, but not on an ongoing basis. The City Council would need to approve funding
during the fiscal year 2023-24 budget and subsequent years for these activities to continue.
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How the City of Carlsbad can help
(Key areas of focus)
The causes of individual homelessness are complex. While not a new problem, recent
conditions have increased the homelessness crisis. The high costs of housing and inflation,
compared to a lack of increases in wages and public assistance may contribute to more people
with vulnerabilities and barriers falling into homelessness.
Based on feedback gathered from the multiple stakeholder groups, data evaluation, review of
best practices and lessons learned from the existing work plan implementation, city staff have
identified key areas of impact the city can focus on to achieve the City Council's goal over the
next 5 years. The City of Carlsbad is limited in many responses to root causes of homelessness.
While the city does not have the role of assisting with many issues such as education,
healthcare or income assistance, the following are areas of impact where the City of Carlsbad
can contribute. These are also the focus of the strategies and initiatives identified in this plan.
Shelter and housing
High home prices, high rental costs and low vacancy rates have fueled a local housing crisis. San
Diego currently ranks as the 5th most expensive rental market in the country. Additionally,
research shows that communities where people spend more than 32% of their income on rent
can expect a more rapid increase in homelessness. In Carlsbad, 48% of households spend more
than 30% of their income on rent with 24% spending more than 50% of their income on rent.
Due to the realities of housing affordability and unsheltered homelessness in the region, there
is overwhelming consensus that more shelter and housing options are needed in North County.
CITY OPTIONS
• Ii Increase and diversify
immediate shelter/
housing availability
There are not enough options for women or families
with children and ,individuals with significant mental
health or substance abuse issues. There is a limited
supply of permanent supportive housing and affordable
housing in the region given the need. Many properties
have long waiting lists. Even affordable rents at the low-
income level are over $1,400 per month for a 1-bedroom
unit. Expanding housing types and programs can be used
as tools to increase access to housing.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
Increase housing focused
low-barrier shelter
Th ere is not enough year-round shelter to
meet the need of the unsheltered
population. Shelter can play an important
role in the process of moving people
experiencing homelessness off the streets
and into housing. The city is working with
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego to
potentially expand the La Posada de
Guadalupe shelter to serve more people,
including women and families.
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0
Implement zoning and
land use programs
identified in the Housing
Element
To meet the housing demand for the
region, the State requires regions to plan
for new housing units, known as the
Regional Housing Needs Assessment. The
most recent Regional Housing Needs
Assessment prepared by the San Diego
Association of Governments identifies
171,658 new housing units are needed
over the next 9 years (2021-2029) to meet
the need. For the City of Carlsbad this is a
total of 3,873 units, with 784 being low-
income, and 1,311 being very low-income
units. There are several zoning and land
use programs in the Housing Element that
can expand shelter and housing
availability for people in need.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
Bl
Reduce barriers to shelter and
housing
For people trying to secure hous·ing there are many barriers
based on income, identification, security deposits, criminal
history and limited recent rental history. Landlord
engagement strategies can be used to access the existing
housing stock more effectively for people exiting
homelessness. Shallow subsidies, landlord incentives,
security deposit assistance and rent guarantees can be used
as tools to increase access to housing.
Outreach and access to services
The City of Carlsbad does not directly provide social services as a core service. The city contracts
for social workers to provide out reach and case management se rvices to support people in
moving out of homelessness. The city also contracts for ra pid re-housing services, employment
and benefit services and clinician services at the La Posada Shelter.
CITY OPTIONS
Housing focused street
outreach/ case
management
Although the County of San Diego
and the city have increased the
number of non-law enforcement staff providing
outreach and case management, there is still a need
for more. This is critical to engaging the unsheltered
population effectively and moving them into housing.
In December 2021, the County of San Diego launched
a North County Pilot Project to provide eight social
workers throughout the region to conduct outreach
and provide case management to people experiencing
homelessness. Carlsbad has one full time social worker
within the city as a result of this program.
.... Employment and
benefits services
The city funds a contract for an
Employment and Benefits
Specialist to assist individuals
experiencing homelessness with
connecting to entitlement benefits
and paid employment to increase their income. It can
be challenging for people experiencing homelessness
to gain paid employment, access Supplemental
Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance
and/or access other benefits which they are entitled
to receive. However, an increase in income can
improve housing options and provide more pathways
to exit homelessness. The Employment and Benefits
Specialist is connected with employers and trained in
the Security Income/Social Security Disability
Insurance Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR)
model, which is a nationally recognized best practice
to streamline access to benefits for people
experiencing homelessness.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023
Increase diversion services
Diversion includes a service package where
staff connect with a household early in their
current homeless situation, engage in a
strength-based conversation to understand
their housing needs and identify potential
housing options. Diversion
differs from prevention in
that diversion serves
households already
experiencing homelessness.
Effective diversion services
can help to reduce
homelessness by diverting people away from
the homeless service system.
Equity and access
Local feedback from people
with lived experience of
homelessness as well as
regional data analysis by the
San Diego Continuum of Care
has identified potential equity
issues in both rates of
homelessness for minorities and the availability
and quality of services. As a result, the City of
Carlsbad will ensure it implements the
Homelessness Action Plan through an equity
lens and adjusts when needed to increase or
improve equity and access.
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Public safety
The City of Carlsbad has a duty to protect the public safety of all residents, housed or
unhoused. The city provides a balanced approach to addressing the complex needs of
individuals experiencing homelessness in a compassionate and effective manner while
addressing the impacts on the community of people living unsheltered. The 2017 Homeless
Response Plan identified the need to look at existing ordinances that impact the community
and the city's response to homeless-related issues. In 2021, the City Council modified and
added to the city's existing quality of life ordinances to regulate conduct such as camping on
public and private property, fires and cooking on public property, storage of personal
property in public places, aggressive solicitation, trespassing, obstruction of property,
disorderly conduct and possessing or consuming open containers of alcohol in public places.
CITY OPTIONS ---------
Law enforcement
without criminalizing
homelessness
While being homeless itself is not a
crime, people experiencing
homelessness at times engage in unlawful behavior which
requires the response of law enforcement. The Carlsbad
Police Department staffs a Homeless Outreach Team that
aims to balance the needs of everyone who resides in
Carlsbad. This includes providing outreach to individuals
experiencing homelessness that need housing, shelter,
protection and service referrals. HOT provides
compassionate enforcement to make sure that unlawful
behavior is addressed. Most people experiencing
homelessness have experienced some form of trauma in
their lives. A history of trauma impacts a person's
behavior and response to services and supports. Trauma
informed care is a critical component in compassionate
enforcement.
Access to basic health and
safety needs
Living unsheltered can contribute to poor
health and premature death. Many people
experiencing homelessness use the
emergency room in the place of preventive
or general medical care. The Carlsbad Fire
Department is frequently called upon to
provide immediate medical assistance to
individuals experiencing homelessness or to
transport for additional medical treatment.
A street medicine component can reduce
the burden on emergency services and
improve the health of the unsheltered
population, increasing long-term housing
outcomes. Additionally, coordination with
the hospital system can be increased to
reduce exits from the
hospital system to
homelessness and
connect people exiting
hospitals to case
management services.
Encampment and abandoned litter clean up
The City of Carlsbad does not allow overnight camping in public spaces when
appropriate alternatives are available and follows regional standards for encampment
engagement and clearing. The city contracts for routine and special cleanup efforts of
abandoned litter to maintain a clean and safe city. These services will be continued and
monitored to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
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Key strategies and initiatives
Over the next five years the City of Carlsbad will focus on the following key strategies toward
reducing homelessness and its impacts on the community. Each strategy has initiatives and new
or continuing actions that will be addressed through annual work plans.
Strategy #1
Develop and maintain the city's capacity to prevent and reduce
homelessness and its impacts on the community.
Strategy #2
Coordinate, collaborate and support local efforts and organizations working
to address homelessness in Carlsbad.
Strategy #3
Retain, protect and increase the supply of housing and other affordable living
options in Carlsbad.
Strategy #4
Be active in external policy issues to influence strategies and impacts to the
city and region.
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Strategy #1 *
Develop and maintain the city's capacity to prevent and reduce
homelessness and its impacts on the community.
*New initiatives are highlighted in green.
Initiative 1.1
Develop and maintain internal homeless services infrastructure.
a.
b.
C.
d.
Maintain staff dedicated to homeless services and homeless outreach.
Maintain abandoned trash and encampment clean-up efforts, ensuring coordination and
compliance with regional guidance.
Identify one-time and ongoing funding sources.
Continue to evaluate and monitor city services and programs to ensure we identify gaps and
meet the needs of the community.
Initiative 1.2
Develop and maintain programs to support people finding a home and prevent
households from entering homelessness.
a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Increase the available case management for people experiencing homelessness and streamline
internal referrals to case management.
Maintain rapid rehousing options to improve wait time to more permanent housing.
Increase and support prevention and diversion efforts to decrease the inflow of people into
homelessness.
Develop and maintain robust and impactful outreach to persistently identify, engage and assess
both the immediate needs and long-term housing needs of unsheltered people experiencing
homelessness.
Identify opportunities to add peer support components to programs and multi-disciplinary
teams.
Improve coordination and access to employment and benefits for people experiencing
homelessness.
Develop a plan to address the increasing number of people and families living in vehicles.
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h.
i.
j.
Maintain a limited-stay motel voucher program as a resource to bridge housing.
Design a Carlsbad City Library program to assist residents at the La Posada de Guadalupe
homeless shelter with education and literacy opportunities.
Investigate barriers to people accessing shelter or permanent housing and create programs as
appropriate to alleviate found barriers.
Initiative 1.3
Coordinate homelessness response between city departments to maximize
effectiveness and efficiency.
a.
b.
C.
d.
Streamline processes for city departments to coordinate homelessness response in a more
effective manner.
Develop and provide training on homelessness topics, resources and interactions for internal
departments that are in contact with people experiencing homelessness.
Develop a proactive HOT route and schedule to monitor sensitive public areas such as water
inlets and ensure t hey are not being impacted by encampments.
Update HIPM documentation and procedures to allow emergency services to access more
appropriate crisis response options.
Initiative 1.4
Transparently share data to improve decision-making and communication.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Survey residents, people experiencing homelessness and service providers to better
understand and measure qualitative community experiences.
Compile and publish key data that provides a comprehensive understanding of homelessness in
Carlsbad.
Provide updates to the community on progress within the Homeless Response Plan and City
Council goal.
Coordinate with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness to better inform planning efforts and
maximize volunteer support for the annual Point in Time Count within Carlsbad.
Remain in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Trust Network and utilize
HMIS dat a to inform decisions.
Continue to educate the community on t he city's efforts related to homelessness and
streamline communication pathways for reporting concerns.
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Initiative 1.4
Transparently share data to improve decision-making and communication.
g. Identify unified and consistent city messaging and responses regarding homelessness
Initiative 1.5 ·
Coordinate the city's funding sources to ensure optimization and maximize
effectiveness.
a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
Update CDBG policies and procedures to allow funding allocations in alignment with the
Homelessness Action Plan.
Develop a Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding strategy in alignment with the
Homelessness Action Plan and eligible uses.
Provide updates to the community on progress within the Homeless Response Plan and City
Council goal.
Coordinate with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness to better inform planning efforts and
maximize volunteer support for the annual Point in Time Count within Carlsbad.
Continue to educate the community on the city's efforts related to homelessness and
streamline communication pathways for reporting concerns.
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Strategy #2*
Coordinate, collaborate, support and build capacity within local
efforts and organizations working to address homelessness in
Carlsbad.
*New initiatives are highlighted in green.
Initiative 2.1
Coordinate the efforts of the organizations working with people experiencing
homelessness in the City of Carlsbad.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Conduct monthly case conferencing meetings that include prioritized case evaluation and
trainings on resources and best practices.
Maintain a comprehensive privacy protected By Name List containing real-time data about all
people experiencing homelessness in the City of Carlsbad.
Develop a multi-disciplinary team model and process to coordinate the work and roles of
different community organizations serving the same clients.
Leverage existing city owned and community spaces to connect with and provide services to
people experiencing homelessness.
Evaluate the development of a regional street medicine program in the city or North Coastal
area.
Initiative 2.2
Develop partnerships within the city to support people at risk of and experiencing
homelessness.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Develop partnerships with faith-based and community groups to collaborate on homelessness
efforts to reduce duplication and mitigate community impacts.
Coordinate with community-based organizations to develop a fund that allows for community
contributions towards homelessness services.
Partner with outside agencies around victim advocacy to prevent and divert survivors of
domestic violence from becoming homeless.
Continue to enhance housing-focused services at La Posada through added staff capacity,
technical assistance and training.
Provide support to Catholic Charities with expansion efforts at La Posada.
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Initiative 2.2
Develop partnerships within the city to support people at risk of and experiencing
homelessness.
f.
g.
h.
Support Catholic Charities to increase the CUP allowed bed count within the existing La Posada
buildings.
Develop a plan to coordinate with local hospitals, jails and other interim placements to connect
individuals exiting without permanent housing to support and to prevent people from exiting to
the streets whenever possible.
Expand access to non-emergency healthcare through more accessible care, inch,1ding at La
Posada, and by creating more connections_to. referral pathways. ·
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Strategy #3 *
Retain, protect and increase the supply of housing and other
affordable living options in Carlsbad.
*New initiatives are highlighted in green.
Initiative 3.1
Retain existing affordable housing units and increase the housing options available to
people experiencing homelessness.
a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
f.
Explore options for homelessness preferences in future affordable housing developments.
Evaluate alternate shelter and housing options to address high rent rates and limited housing
inventory: Tiny homes, motel or apartment conversion,.Single Room Occupancy units, shar'ed·
housing and adding shelters for women and families.
Secure supportive services for homeless dedicated Housing Choice Vouchers.
Maintain and monitor a list of affordability restriction time periods for affordable housing
within the city and take steps to extend affordability for any properties approaching the end of
the restriction period.
Explore how any city owned properties can be used for low income or supportive housing
before they are designated for other uses as may be appropriate.
Identify opportunities to prioritize beds in mental and behavioral health facilities as may be
appropriate and necessary.
Initiative 3.2
Identify and implement both short-and long-term innovative
solutions.
a.
b.
C.
Develop, implement, and maintain a landlord engagement program and active partnership with
local independent living facilities, sober living homes and other housing options.
Identify innovative projects which are eligible to be funded through the Permanent Local
Housing Allocation.
Explore projects that would be eligible for available funding sources.
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Strategy #4
Be active in external policy issues to influence strategies and
impacts to the city and region.
Initiative 4.1
Maintain an active role in external activities to expand local and regional solutions to
homelessness.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Remain up to date on legislation affecting homelessness, housing laws, policies, strategies
and/or funding.
Identify opportunities to influence and support legislation that aligns with Carlsbad's
homelessness strategies, efforts and plans.
Participate in regional efforts and initiatives regarding homelessness.
Pursue collaborative approaches, when feasible, that contribute to capacity and/or resources in
the region.
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Data/tracking progress
As the Homelessness Action Plan is implemented the city will use multiple measurements to
evaluate effectiveness, monitor progress and inform decision making. Homelessness is a fluid
issue and requires a variety of data indicators to tell the story of homelessness in our
community. As a result, the city will continue to report on a variety of data points to inform the
City Council and the public about the progress the city is making toward its homelessness goal.
City staff anticipates formally reporting out progress semi-annually. Data will be obtained from
the following sources:
Point in Time Count
The annua l Point in Time Count is one data source to gauge the year-over-year trends and
approximate the number of people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. Each year, the
count is conducted over a four-hour period in the early morning to collect data on
homelessness in the region. While it does not give the 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 night. It is one of the
tools used nationally to assess progress each year toward the goal of reducing homelessness
and is often used for funding decisions.
Homeless Management Information System
The Homeless Management Information System records client-level information on the
characteristics and service needs of people experiencing homelessness. It allows for all service
providers to share information and accurately track the total number of unduplicated clients
who are being served in the City of Carlsbad. The system provides real-time data that show the
inflow versus outflow of individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad and can be used to
track the outcomes of individuals in the homeless system of care. All city-funded homeless
service providers are required to enter data into the Homeless Management Information
System and provide the city with monthly data reports.
Housing Inventory Count
The Housing Inventory Count is an annual HUD required inventory of the beds, units and
programs designated to serve people experiencing homelessness. The Housing Inventory Count
tallies the number of beds and units available on the night designated for the count by program
type, and include beds dedicated to serve persons who are homeless as well as persons in
Permanent Supportive Housing.
By-Name List
A By-Name List is a comprehensive list of every person in a community experiencing
homelessness, updated in real time. By maintaining a By-Name List, communities are able to
track the ever-changing size and composition of their homeless population.
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Carlsbad Help App
The Carlsbad Help App is an internally developed reporting tool which allows the city track
interactions with people experiencing homelessness and send referrals between departments.
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Measurable objectives/benchmarks
The following measurable objectives/benchmarks will be used to track program progress. A
description of each measurement is included in Appendix C.
Number of people experiencing homelessness
• The inflow and outflow of people accessing homeless service programs
• The number of unduplicated people experiencing homelessness encountered
• The Point in Time Count numbers
Assistance provided to people experiencing homelessness
• The number of people experiencing homelessness that obtained housing
• The number of placements in shelter or other temporary programs
• Newly homeless/returns to homelessness
Availability of affordable housing and shelter
• Shelter capacity
• New affordable units available for extremely low income
• New supportive housing available for people with severe service needs
Impacts of homelessness on the community
• Calls for service
• Abandoned trash and encampments
• Community opinion survey of residents
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APPENDICES
A. POINT IN TIME COUNT DATA
8. COORDINATION WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS
C. BENCHMARK EXPLANATIONS AND DEFINITIONS
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POINT IN TIME COUNT DATA
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APPENDIX A
52
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Carlsbad's Homeless Population*
--& ~~S,o0-,0 County prior to
becoming homeless
!~a%
)Q Veterans
72% Male
(t)
.. . .
Female
'
• e 100% Adult
,55%44+
*Data is from the 2022 Point in Time Count.
Point in Time Count unsheltered data
160
140
Carlsbad b•c•n to m•n•c•
120
100
80 78
60
40
21 20
19 21
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
e e 87% White
'' 13%Black
~ 38% Disability
152
75
2018 2019 2020 2022
*The Point in Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions. The City of
Carlsbad took over the Point in Time Count from an outside organization starting in 2017.
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COORDINATION WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS
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APPENDIX B
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The city's Housing & Homeless Services Department will lead the implementation of the
Homelessness Action Plan. Part of t he success of t his plan depends on all city departments
understanding their roles in t he strategic direction in support of the goal. The following table
identifies additional city department roles related to homelessness in our community:
Department Role
All departments Communicate regularly with relevant departments to share information and
collaborate on homelessness. Maintain alignment within the city on actions
and messaging regarding homelessness.
Library & Cultural Arts Provide community spaces for education, meet ings, outreach and similar
community involvement. Collect data and share information and insights about
the homeless population using library services, such as counting attendance at
programs specifically designed for the homeless population and tracking
numbers of resources and referrals. Develop programming, share external
opportunities and community partnerships t hat benefit individuals
experiencing homelessness. Connect individuals experiencing or at risk of
homelessness with helpful ~esources.
Parks & Recreation Provide community spaces for education, meetings, outreach and similar
community involvement. Coordinate with city departments to leverage funding
and programs for people experiencing homelessness. Identify strategies for
operational areas being impacted by homelessness to better serve all patrons.
Public Works Promote public safety and environmental sustainability by maintaining public
spaces. Oversee coordination of abandoned trash cleanup and disposal of
hazardous materials. Coordinate reporting of efforts to the San Diego Water
Board through the Water Quality Improvement Plan Annual Reports.
Fire Provide emergency medical services to homeless residents. Assist with
connecting residents experiencing homelessness to local services and
programs. Coordinate with the Police Department, local hospitals, non-profit
services, MCRT and PERT clinicians to stay apprised of resources and provide
comprehensive care.
Police Provide a balance of compassionate outreach and enforcement through the
Homeless Outreach Team. Provide resources to t he homeless community
seven days a week while also addressing the general community's
complaints and concerns related to quality of life issues and illegal conduct.
City Attorney Provide legal guidance, advice and insight around homeless related issues.
Conduct legal review of homeless related contracts, grants, plans and
programs. Assist with drafting and reviewing new policies and ordinances to
address and limit, where necessary, homeless impacts on the community.
Advise the Homeless Outreach Team and prosecute criminal offenses or
pursue other enforcement as appropriate.
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Housing & Homeless Develop planning documents and take lead on coordination of the
Services Homelessness Action Plan. Provide administrative oversight, including
contracting and compliance, of Housing & Homeless Services funded programs.
Regularly coordinate with community service providers and local health and
government agencies. Pursue funding opportunities, as appropriate, to support
the city in addressing homelessness. Assist other departments with preparing,
evaluating, implementing and reporting out on data, policies and programs
related to homelessness, such as those in the Housi ng Element. Oversee and
maintain programs which assist with addressing homelessness such as the
Community Development Block Gra nt, Housing Choice Voucher and Affordable
Resale programs.
Intergovernmental Monitor legislation, recommend bill sponsorship opportunities and work with
Affairs City Council Legislative Subcommittee for potential advocacy positions based
on the city's Legislative Platform. Monitor grant opportunities that can support
and further the city's Homelessness Action Plan.
Communication & Facilitate two-way communication between the cit y and the community about
Engagement city programs and services dedicated to reducing homelessness in Carlsbad.
Support the Housing & Homeless Services Department in carrying out public
involvement programs to gather community input w hen appropriate.
Coordinate with department staff to develop timely, accurate and easy to
understand information about the city's homeless response efforts for
distribution through the city's communication channels to increase community
awareness and government transparency.
Community Coordinate on land use issues related t o housing and homeless services
Development identified in t he Homelessness Action Plan and Housing Element. Work with
related departments to implement and report out housing goals, programs,
grants, data and accomplishments.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023 Item #4
56
Page 57 of 76
BENCHMARK EXPLANATIONS AND DEFINITIONS
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023 Item #4
APPENDIX C
57
Page 58 of 76
City staff will track a number of data points to provide a comprehensive picture of the need,
city efforts and impacts related to homelessness. The following is a description of each
measurement. City staff will return to the City Council on a semi-annual basis to report on
the below metrics.
Number of people experiencing homelessness
• The inflow and outflow of people accessing homeless service programs: Each month the
city will use the Homeless Management Information System to determine the number
of new people who have been added to the By-Name List by enrolling in a homeless
service program (inflow) and the number of people who have exited the By-Name List
by exiting a homeless service program (outflow) within the city. These numbers can
demonstrate if homelessness is increasing or decreasing over time, monitor where
people are coming from or leaving to, and can help to identify the rate of returns to
homelessness.
• The number of unduplicated people experiencing homelessness encountered: Every
quarter the city will use Homeless Management Information System data to determine
the number of unduplicated clients served by all city-funded homeless services
programs. This demonstrates how many people homeless services programs engage
with each quarter and over the course of a year. This is a cumulative data point and
does not reflect how many people experiencing homelessness are in Carlsbad at one
time.
• The Point in Time Count Numbers: Each year the city will collaborate with the Regional
Task Force on Homelessness to oversee the Point in Time Count within the city. The
Point in Time Count number provides an idea of general trends year-over-year and
provides an indication of the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness on
a given night.
Assistance provided to people experiencing homelessness
• The number of people experiencing homelessness that obtained housing: Homeless
Management Information System data will be used to track the number of people who
exit homeless service programs to housing destinations. This metric will identify how
many people are permanently exiting homelessness each month.
• The number of placements in shelter or other temporary programs: Homeless
Management Information System data will be used to track the number of people who
enter shelter or other temporary programs. This metric will identify how many people
are moving from being unsheltered to sheltered each month.
• Newly homeless/Returns to homelessness: Homeless Management Information System
data will be used to determine the number of people who are newly homeless or were
previously homeless and exited to a permanent housing destination and have returned
to homelessness and accessed homeless services. This metric may provide insight into
how many people are homeless for the first time as well as the effect iveness of
homeless service programs and how services may need to be strengthened or adjusted.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023 Item #4
58
Page 59 of 76
Availability of affordable housing and shelter
• Shelter capacity: The city will use the Housing Inventory Count and Homeless
Management Information System data to track the shelter capacity available to people
experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. An increase in shelter capacity could indicate
that more shelter beds have been developed or there has been a decreased need for
shelter. Shelter capacity can be an important component to the homeless service
system because it provides a stable sheltered place for people experiencing
homelessness to stay and work with service providers to identify permanent housing.
• New affordable units ava ilable for extremely low-income persons: The city will track the
number of units available for extremely low-income persons. An increase in units for
extremely low-income persons provides more opportunities for people living in poverty
to maintain housing or exit homelessness.
• New supportive housing available for people with severe service needs: The city will use
the Housing Inventory Count and Homeless Management Information System data to
track the number of supportive housing units ava ilable to people experiencing
homelessness with severe service needs in Carlsbad. An increase in supportive housing
capacity could indicate that more housing units have been developed or there has been
a decreased need for supportive housing. Supportive housing is critical to ending
homelessness for the people with the most severe service needs in the community.
Impacts of homelessness on the community
• Calls for service: Each quarter the city will use the city-designed Help App to determine
the proactive and police dispatched ca lled for service related to homelessness. Calls for
service do not necessarily indicate need or progress. The Police Department tracks
reactive calls based on complaints as well as proactive calls initiated by officers. A
decrease in reactive ca lls could indicate there are fewer complaints being received.
Proactive calls indicate the efforts to conduct outreach and enforcement. A fluctuation
in proactive calls could mean there is a change in need or effort. For example, if there
are fewer individuals experiencing homelessness there could be fewer proactive
activities based on need, but it could also mean that there is less proactive activity
based on resources. Calls for service will be tracked for informational purposes and city
staff will provide a qualitative description along with likely reasons for the fluctuation in
calls for service.
• Abandoned trash and encampments: Each quarter the city will compile data received
from the city contractor re lated to homelessness encampment and abandoned trash
cleanups. The city contracts for consistent days of cleanup per month. If the number of
days or encampments cleaned up decreases, it could mean that there is a decreased
need. A decrease in this measurement would likely be positive.
• Community survey of residents on the impacts: Each year the city will conduct a survey
of residents which provides an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on
their personal experience regarding the impacts of homelessness. This data helps the
city to understand residents' perception, concerns and track progress with reducing
community impact over time.
HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
July 10, 2023 Item #4
59
Page 60 of 76
Exhibit 2
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
Reducing Homelessness
(City of
Carlsbad
JULY 1 -DEC. 31, 2022
During the first half of FY 2022-23, the City of
Carlsbad achieved several important milestones
towards its goal of reducing homelessness and
its impacts on the community, which are
detailed in t his report.
tttt
tttt
tttt
ttt
Transitioned to permanent housing
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.
38
Shelter placements
381
Unduplicated contacts
Po lice ca lls for service
Hotel voucher
STAYS
July 10, 2023
4,405 Encampment
CLEANUPS
Item #4 Page 61 of 76
Data by Quarter
The table below shows how data compare between each quarter, along with cumulative data since July 2022.
The same individual may have received more than one service and is reflected under each service category
that applies to them (for example, the same individual may have received both a hotel voucher and later
placed into permanent housing).
' I , :Dl:
Households transitioned
to permanent housing*
Unduplicated contacts**
Police calls for service***
Shelter placements
Encampment cleanups
Hotel voucher stays
Shopping carts collected
Fiscal
Year
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
2021-22
2022-23
Ql
23
37
253
247
1,542
2,548
28
21
10
33
N/A
10
N/A
31
Q2
15
28
269
184
2,169
1,857
29
17
7
28
5
13
37
13
Q3
12
309
2,585
39
16
17
48
Q4
12
324
2,701
14
17
15
17
YTD
62
65
749
381
8,997
4,405
110
38
so
61
37
23
102
44
* This year's data includes exits from La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter that were not available for
the previous year's data
**134 new individuals were contacted during Q2 who were not contacted during Ql. The year-to-date total
removes duplicate contacts.
***In FY 2022-23, Carlsbad Police officers went into the field for 4,405 homeless-related calls for service
during the first two quarters, of which 2,276 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and
2,129 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and
enforce applicable laws.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
2
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 62 of 76
Expenditures
The City Council approved $4,376,496 in general funds to support the homeless goal during fiscal year 2022-
23. This number includes carried forward encumbrances from fiscal year 2021-22 and two mid-year
allocations.
TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES TO DATE
$2,016,050
Spent to date
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
$4,376,496
Total budget
$2,366,446
Remaining
3
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 63 of 76
SPENDING BY CATEGORY
Portable toilets
$10,264.75
Hotel vouchers •
$18,958.03 :
La Posada Shelter
(training and technical assistance)
$2,156.25
Police salaries
$1,211 ,802.81
Carlsbad's Homeless Population*
Urban Corps
(Encampment and trash cleanup)
$47,079.50
Interfaith Community
Services
(Social workers)
$90,639.98
Community Resource Center
(Rapid rehousing, other housing assistance)
$279,268.41
Housing & Homeless
Services salaries
$327,302.06
72% Male e e 87% White --&~2.~,..-County prior to
becoming homeless
!~a%
JC Veterans
Reducing Homelessness
(t)
.. . .
Female
'
• e 100% Adult
,55%44+
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
'' 13%Black
(2j 38% Disability
4
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 64 of 76
Point-in-Time Count Unsheltered data**
160 152
140
120
100
80 78
60 60
40
21
20
19 21
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023
*This demographic data is from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count as this information has not been provided for 2023
*The Point-in-Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions.
Public Safety
Homeless-Related Calls for Service
During the first and second quarters of FY 2023-24, Carlsbad Police went into the field for 4,405 homeless-
related calls for service, which made up 8.5% of all calls for service between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. Of
those, 2,276 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 2,129 were proactive department-
initiated calls for service to help carry out city homelessness goals and enforce applicable law. Changes to the
city's municipal code went into effect during November 2021, therefore officers have been more proactive to
educate and enforce restrictions such as camping in public, trespassing and drinking in public parks.
Reducing Homelessness 5
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 65 of 76
PERCENTAGE OF CALLS FOR HOMELESS-RELATED SERVICES
8.5%
Related to
homelessness
HOMELESS-RELATED STATISTICS BY CATEGORY
*These are the statistics related to the homeless population compared to the general population in Carlsbad.
Mental health holds refer to when an individual experiencing a mental heafth crisis is hospitalized for 72-hour
psychiatric care when they are evaluated to be a danger to themselves.or others.
Percentage of all calls for services
~ Homeless-related calls for services
e Homeless-related arrests Ma
n ~ Homeless-related citations
(f) Homeless-related mental health holds
SERVICES
During the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year,
88% of homeless persons contacted accepted
some form of clinical intervention. This includes
case management, assessment, care
coordination, crisis intervention, program
information, diversion and treatment planning.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
July 10, 2023
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
10% 7%
16% 16%
5% 5%
3% 3%
88%
Accepted services
6
Item #4 Page 66 of 76
The Homeless Outreach Team officers and contract social workers provide a lot of other services in addition
to clinical services.
Services accepted Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD • Information only 226 45 271
i::. Emergency shelter referral 37 71 108
121 Mail delivery 8 3 11
~ Transportation to services 10 7 17
' I , a Police t ransportation 28 9 37
Cf) Substance abuse treatment 5 30 35
m ID assistance 7 4 11
6 Permanent or bridge housing referral 1 25 26
~ Benefits access (medical insurance, 9 38 47 CalFresh program, VA benefits, etc.) • Other (appointment coordination, 11 104 115 case management, blankets, etc.) • Food assistance 3 9 12
• Hospital transport 3 1 4
r,11 Referrals to mental & physical health 5 32 37 care
T Personal needs assistance (clothing, 5 4 9 phone, prescriptions, etc.)
• • fl Reunification travel assistance 1 8 9
TOTAL 359 390 749
Reducing Homelessness 7
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 67 of 76
Quality of Life
In late Sept. 2021 the City Council approved amendments to the city's municipal code to address public
safety and quality-of-life concerns related to homelessness and public spaces. These new laws became
effective Nov. 11, 2021. Changes addressed camping on public, private and open space property; obstruction
of property, trespassing and disorderly conduct; and expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol
are prohibited.
These amendments, along with other existing laws, 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 and citations and make misdemeanor arrests for violations of the law.
City staff will track data to gauge how the team balances t he need to build rapport with the homeless
community while holding them accountable and enforcing applicable laws .
•
Limited-Term Stay Motel Voucher Program
From July 1 through December 31, 2022, 23 households were issued a total of 141 nights in a hotel with a
total expenditure of $18,958.03. Of the 23 households assisted, 11 were able to move on to other shelter or
housing following their hotel stay.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
8
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 68 of 76
Public Outreach
The city recognizes homelessness is a top concern of the community and understands the importance of
outreach and engagement. Below is an overview of some of the outreach efforts implemented from July 1 to
Dec. 31, 2022, to help keep the community informed and engaged about the city's efforts to reduce
homelessness.
1 community presentation
3 internal focus groups
2 community newsletter updates
The Housing & Homeless Services Department partnered with the Police Department to present on a panel
about Carlsbad's homeless services efforts hosted by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad. The Housing & Homeless
Services Department also held three internal focus groups with city staff from departments whose duties
intersect with homelessness to gather feedback to help create the city's new Homelessness Action Plan.
Staff also responded to hundreds of phone calls and emails from individuals experiencing homelessness,
business owners, social service providers and members of the public.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
9
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 69 of 76
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 to improve the quality of life of the
community collectively.
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 provides short-term emergency boarding and emergency medical care for
approximately 25 animals of persons experiencing homelessness -free of charge -so homeless individuals
can 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 back in 2017 to
combat the Hepatitis A Crisis in the homeless community. With COVID-19, the city added more restrooms
and handwashing stations to promote health, sanitation and 24/7 access to clean water to individuals living
unsheltered. One portable restroom has been removed based on community concern, so three portable
restrooms are currently being provided.
Community Resource Center
The city continues to partner with the Community Resource Center to operate its rapid rehousing and
employment and benefits contracts. The contracts provide case management, security deposit support,
rental assistance, landlord advocacy, financial education, stabilization support, referrals to higher levels of
care, benefits enrollment, job readiness support, resume building and employment connection. The
Community Resource Center had 130 enrollments in its rapid rehousing and employment and benefit
programs in the first half of FY2022-23. The center placed 28 households comprised of 42 individuals in
housing during this time.
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 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 the first half of FY2022-23, Interfaith
Community Services and the Homeless Outreach Team engaged with 223 unduplicated clients experiencing
homelessness.
Reducing Homelessness 10
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 70 of 76
Non-City Funded Homeless Outreach
The County of San Diego and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) each have a dedicated outreach worker
in Carlsbad full-time. The outreach worker from PATH is specially trained in working with individuals or
households with behavioral health needs. In addition, the county is providing benefits enrollment at Harding
Community Center (bi-weekly) and Interfaith Service Center (weekly) to assist people enrolling in MediCal,
Cal Fresh and General Relief programs.
Catholic Charities
The Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego operates the La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter in
Carlsbad. The shelter has the capacity to serve 50 single men experiencing homelessness. The city provides
funding for staff, operations, training and technical assistance.
Urban Corps
The city contracts with Urban Corps of San Diego for trash abatement, litter and encampment cleanup
related to persons experiencing homelessness. Urban Corps works very closely with the city's Public Works
Department and the Homeless Outreach Team, and they are responsible for responding and triaging any
incoming cleanup requests based on health and safety for homelessness on city property. Th is contract
provides clean-up services 3 days per week, 52 weeks a year, often including encampment clean-ups. When
encampment clean-ups 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.
Case Collaboration/Case Conferencing
City staff work closely with staff from city funded programs and other partners working in homeless services.
Staff facilitate a monthly case conferencing meeting to ensure all outreach efforts are effectively
administered and coordinated, so that the most complex cases are prioritized and served. This collaboration
also provides training and resource coordination. Trainings and coordination have included: Affordable
housing training, mental health resources, senior housing options, CalAim programs, homelessness specific
housing resources, San Diego Humane Society programs and Showers of Blessings. Community partners
report gratitude for the level of cohesion and collaboration that exists within the agencies working on
homelessness issues in Carlsbad.
Veteran Focus
City staff have been working closely with community partners to specifically support our veteran community
in accessing resources and finding places to live. During the first half of FY2022-23, veteran homelessness
decreased by 53% in our community. The city is partnering with the county to reduce veteran homelessness.
Reducing Homelessness 11
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 71 of 76
25
21
20
~, '~ Veterans ¥
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16
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ct of a comm ' ;mpacts all aspe s A.
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at..-... R~~lo~~ Task Force
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Reducing Homelessness rt· July -Dec. 2022
Semi-. annual Progress Repo .
◄
..
tilHrans·
12
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 72 of 76
Success Stories
For each reporting period, 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 Jim
Male: 55+
Permanently housed: December 2022
Jim was living at the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter in the fall of 2022. The staff at La Posada referred him to
the Community Resource Center Rapid Re-housing Program for support in finding a place to live. He was
employed by a staffing agency and had the funds to pay his rent. The Community Resource Center helped
him get into a senior community by paying for his deposit and some limited term rental assistance. He was
then laid off by the staffing agency, and the Community Resource Center was able to help him maintain his
housing. He was enrolled with the Community Resource Center's employment and benefits specialist, who
helped him set up interviews for a new job with a higher wage. He is now doing well and continues to have
support services t hrough the Community Resource Center.
What worked
• La Posada de Guadalupe gave Jim a place to stay so he wouldn't be sleeping outside. While he was
there, he was able to secure employment through a st affing agency.
• La Posada staff referred him to the Community Resource Center for help finding housing.
• The Community Resource Center helped Jim secure a place to live using the rapid re-housing
program.
• The Community Resource Center continued t o support him with its Employment & Benefits
Program after he lost his job and needed a new one to continue paying his rent.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
13
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 73 of 76
The Richardson Family
Family of 3 siblings
Reunified with family: November 2022
A family of five, two parents and three adult children, lived out of their vehicle in the Village area. The
parents each had a disabling medical condition and the three adult children suffered from mild cognitive
disabilities. The family lived off a very minimal fixed income. The family was contacted regularly by the Police
Departments Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and the Interfaith Social Workers. They used services like
meals with Feeding All God's Children, showers at Showers of Blessings, and an occasional gas card, but
remained hesitant to referrals for housing options. The mother passed away and the father ended up
hospitalized long-term which left the siblings to fend for themselves.
HOT continued to contact the children on a regular basis, exploring options for their situation and working to
encourage them to accept services that could improve their quality of life. One of the siblings found a job to
help sustain the family but was seriously injured after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle to work. The
family eventually lost the vehicle they were living in due to mechanical issues.
In November of 2022, the lack of she lter from their vehicle led the siblings to inform HOT about an aunt on
the East Coast who they believed might be willing to help them. HOT worked with the Interfaith social worker
to explore this option. After confirming the aunt was willing to help, the siblings were temporarily housed in
a motel to facilitate family reunification. Travel arrangements were made with the assistance of a local
nonprofit social service agency, and all three siblings returned to the East Coast to live with family. Interfaith
confirmed their safe arrival.
What worked
• Local resources were able to meet basic needs for the family.
• The Homeless Outreach Team continued to interact with the family and offer support.
• When the family decided to pursue a reunification plan, the Interfaith Community Services social
worker was able to connect them with resources and help the family reunite with a relative.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July-Dec. 2022
14
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 74 of 76
Overcoming Challenges
Staff have experienced some challenges around the implementation of the City Council's goal to reduce
homelessness. Some of these include:
Limited Housing Resources
There is limited emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, available affordable housing and general
housing options in North County and San Diego.
Staff Vacancies
There have 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 the implementation of the Homelessness Action Plan.
Limited Shelter for Women and Seniors
Outreach workers, police homeless outreach officers and city staff have experienced an influx in single
females over the age of 60 experiencing homelessness for the first time. Staff are collaborating to identify
accessible shelter and housing options for this population. General communal shelters are not always an
option due to extremely limited availability, health risks and mobility needs.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
15
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 75 of 76
Upcoming Work
City staff have several projects on the horizon:
• The Department of Housing and Homeless Services is continuing to provide support and monitor the
progress on the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter expansion.
• Staff are in the process of enhancing the city's rapid-rehousing program using funds from the new HUD
CoC grant in partnership with the Community Resource Center.
• With the approval of the City Council's FY 2023-24 operating budget, staff are working to execute
agreements for the activities identified in the Homelessness Action Plan Funding Plan.
• A partnership is being developed with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness to increase training
opportunities for Carlsbad service providers.
• Staff are collaborating across departments to identify recommended program options related to opioid
settlement funding for the City Council's consideration.
• Staff are working diligently across departments to implement a data dashboard for homeless services
within the city.
Reducing Homelessness
Semi-annual Progress Report: July -Dec. 2022
16
July 10, 2023 Item #4 Page 76 of 76