CA Review _MK__
Meeting Date: Feb. 22, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Mandy Mills, Housing and Homeless Services Director [email protected], 760-434-2907
Subject: Homeless Quarterly Update for Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021
District: All
Recommended Action
Receive the second quarterly update on the city’s goal to reduce its unsheltered homeless population, covering the period from Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021.
Executive Summary
This report presents the second quarterly update on the city’s progress in achieving the City Council’s goal of reducing homelessness in Carlsbad by 50%, in keeping with the City Council’s direction. The update, presented as Exhibit 1, covers the second quarter of the current fiscal year.
The results across most measures are fairly consistent with first quarter results, showing steady progress continues to be made toward the City Council’s goal. Staff have built upon progress reported in the first quarter, with the implementation of new tools showing promising results.
Discussion
Background
The City Council has prioritized homelessness as one of its top city goals. In March 2021, the City Council established a fiscal year 2021-22 priority goal to “Reduce the homeless unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years, with quarterly reports until we decrease the unsheltered homeless population by 50% or five years” (whichever comes sooner), and directed staff to develop a work plan to achieve a set of specific objectives over the next 12 to 18 months toward achieving this goal.
The City Council approved a comprehensive package of initiatives to support this effort, including the work plan and the necessary funding appropriations, on April 27, 2021, and made some modifications to the work plan on Sept. 28, 2021. These initiatives are strategically designed to make both short-term and long-term impacts on the homelessness concerns in Carlsbad.
The City Council also directed staff to provide quarterly updates on the city’s progress in achieving this goal. These updates are intended to provide the council and the community with Feb. 22, 2022
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an opportunity to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the city’s homeless initiatives, discuss any potential concerns and make adjustments. In these updates to the council, staff provide information on the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad, performance metrics and outcomes, updates on the approved work plan and current program expenses.
The first quarterly update, presented to the City Council Dec. 7, 2021, included definitions of the terms and means of measurement being used in this effort and is attached as Exhibit 2 for both reference and comparison.
Clarification of measurements and definitions
We are providing a comparison of the data between quarters to show changes and trends. It is also important to point out the year-to-date data for some indicators. Because city staff and contractors work with homeless individuals over time, they are counted in each quarter to see quarter over quarter trends. But when the statistics are tallied in the aggregate, an individual will not be counted more than once in the year-to-date figures, so the year-to-date statistics are not the sum of the quarterly numbers.
These updates also refer to calls for service. Calls for service means the number of unique activities conducted by the Police or Fire departments. This can be in response to a particular request or complaint from the public, or it can be a proactive activity undertaken to carry out city goals and to enforce city codes. In the last update, calls for service were reported as one statistic. Due to prior limitations in capturing data, not all activities related to homelessness were captured. We are now capturing all activity and providing the data on both reactive and proactive calls for service.
Changes since last quarterly report
A number of new programs or initiatives became effective during the second quarter of the fiscal year and can now be reported. Most of these started during the middle of the reporting period, so the data reflects the period from when they started through Dec. 31, 2021.
In general, the statistics on outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness remained close to the same during the period covered by this report, while enforcement and clean-up efforts increased. Second quarter results demonstrate steady progress continues to be made toward the City Council’s goal.
It is important to point out that during the months of November and December, La Posada, the only emergency shelter in the city, had several COVID outbreaks and were unable to accept new guests.
Quality of Life Ordinance
The City Council approved amendments to the city’s municipal code to address public safety and quality of life concerns related to homelessness and public spaces on Sept. 28, 2021. These new laws became effective Nov. 11, 2021. These changes addressed camping on public, private and open space property, obstruction of property, trespassing, disorderly conduct and expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol are prohibited.
The amendments provided police officers with the enforcement tools needed to ensure public safety and a decent quality of life for all people in Carlsbad. Police officers will continue to use Feb. 22, 2022
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their discretion in issuing warnings and citations and making misdemeanor arrests. City staff will continue to monitor how the team balances the need to build rapport with the homeless community while holding them accountable and enforcing city laws.
Limited term stay emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program As a part of establishing the amendments to the municipal code, the City Council approved a one-night Hotel Voucher Pilot Program so that the city could legally enforce its unlawful camping on public property ordinance.1 Those who participate in the voucher program are connected to services the following morning through the Homeless Outreach Team. The city may enforce its unlawful camping on public property ordinance if an individual chooses not to participate in the emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program and refuses another offer for shelter or housing. The program began operating in early November. The city will use the new Hotel Voucher Pilot Program over the next 12 months and report progress through subsequent quarterly updates to the City Council so adjustments can be made as needed.
Shopping cart enforcement
The Police Department began an initiative in the end of the quarter to reclaim shopping carts and return them to the merchants that own them when possible. This initiative has been enforceable under the California Business and Professions Code and does not require a local ordinance for implementation.
Additional social workers through the County of San Diego Both the County of San Diego’s North County Social Worker Pilot Program and a new county contract to provide behavioral health are now operating their programs in the City of Carlsbad, with two social workers providing outreach in the community. Both outreach programs have been working closely with the city’s Homeless Outreach Team, Housing Navigator and outside contractors to ensure outreach efforts are being effectively administered and coordinated so that the most vulnerable individuals are being prioritized and served.
Fiscal Analysis
The cost of the activities in the work plan are covered in the city’s budget for the current fiscal year.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to evaluate the inflow of homeless persons in Carlsbad and will report out trends in the data. An updated work program and associated budget appropriations will be offered for the council’s approval in the city’s normal strategic planning and budget process each year.
Staff will return to the City Council each quarter to report on the city’s progress in reducing the number of persons experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad over the next five years, or until the goal is achieved. Staff will bring the next quarterly report, covering the period from Jan. 1- March 31, 2022, to the City Council in May 2022.
1 In most circumstances, cities cannot enforce laws prohibiting camping on public property if they do not have enough shelter beds available for their homeless population under the Boise v. Martin court ruling . Some exceptions apply if the ordinance or other law is tailored with time, place and/or manner restrictions.
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Environmental Evaluation
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that these actions may not cause a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in keeping with the state's Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibit
1. Second Quarterly Update report on goal to reduce homelessness, Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2021
2. Dec. 7, 2021 staff report to the City Council (on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
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Exhibit 1
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021-22, the
City of Carlsbad achieved several important milestones
towards its goal of reducing homelessness, which are
detailed in this report.
City Council Goal
Reduce the homeless unsheltered population,
among those who want help, by 50% within five
years. Provide quarterly reports for five years or
until this goal is met, whichever comes first.
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
2 The table below shows how data compares between Q1 and Q2, along with year-to-date data. Staff have adjusted some of the Q1 data to reflect additional information received since presenting the Q1 report to the City Council in December 2021.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD
Transitioned to permanent housing 16 15 31
Unduplicated contacts* 253 269 433
Police calls for service** 1,542 2,169 3,711
Shelter placements 28 29 57
Encampment cleanups 10 15 25
People provided hotel vouchers N/A 5 5
Hotel voucher nights N/A 8 8
Shopping carts collected N/A 37 37
*89 of the same individuals experiencing homelessness were contacted in both Q1 and Q2. The year-to-date total removes duplicate contacts.
**Carlsbad Police went into the field for 2,169 calls for service, of which 1,021 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 1,148 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city goals and enforce city codes.
Data by Quarter
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
3 Work plan tasks were identified to be accomplished over various stages during the fiscal year. All work plan tasks that were identified to be complete for Q1 and Q2 have been completed within the identified timeline and budget.*
Work Plan Timeline
Employment and benefits specialist Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Develop scope of work and budget for consultant services for a two-year contract Issue request for proposals for contract services
Design program and informational materials
Additional homeless outreach officers and social workers Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Promote an additional sergeant to the Homeless Outreach Team Recruit for two new Homeless Outreach Team officers
Create roles/responsibility and deployment model for enhanced Homeless Outreach Team Develop and provide necessary training for new Homeless Outreach Team members Identify metrics for data collection
Partner with social workers from the County of San Diego’s contracts with the North County Homeless Pilot Program and PATH
Enhancing clinical services at La Posada Emergency Shelter Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Develop scope of work for expanded consultant services to include two licensed clinicians and additional training for staff
Research and analyze best practice emergency shelter programs Design new program rules, expectations and outcomes
Develop a training schedule, courses, programs and completion timeline Re-evaluate the program practices, as necessary
Limited-term Stay Emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Identify and partner with hotel/motel vendors
Develop pilot program rules, policies and expectations
Train Homeless Outreach Team Officers and social workers Prepare public informational materials
Develop and implement a tracking system to assess program efficacy Provide a report to the City Council (after first six months and following the 12-month program) to determine if the program should be continued and/or modified Develop and implement a contract with the Humane Society
Community Resource Center services Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Contract with the Community Resource Center
Develop scope of work for services
Two-year contract with three, one-year extensions
Revise policies and procedures based on lessons learned from year one
FY 2021/23 Work Plan Progress
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
4 Work plan progress continued
Create a new Housing & Homeless Services Department Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Create new positions (Director, Housing Services Manager and Management Analyst) Develop budget and purchase resources
Advertise, recruit, hire the new positions
La Posada de Guadalupe Facility Expansion Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the number of shelter beds within the existing facility
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the existing facility to accommodate women and families
Project Homekey funds Progress on track Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Develop a list of potential projects that are eligible for Project Homekey funding and develop a specific proposal for the City Council’s consideration and direction.
Pursue a Homekey funding application, if directed by the City Council
*Some tasks have changed or been eliminated based on City Council direction.
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
5 The City Council approved $6.8 million in general funds and one-time reserve funds to support the homeless goal during fiscal year 2021-22. A significant portion of the budget, $3.2 million, was initially allocated for an emergency shelter hotel voucher pilot program. Based on initial research and feedback, the City Council decided to pursue a different model, which is expected to require fewer resources.
TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES TO DATE
SPENDING BY CATEGORY
Expenditures
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
6 Point in Time data
*The Point in Time Count did not take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions. The City of Carlsbad took over the Point in Time Count from an outside organization starting in 2017.
Carlsbad’s Homeless Population
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
7 Homeless-related calls for service
Carlsbad Police went into the field for 2,169 calls for service, which made up 13% of all activity between Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021. Of those, 1,021 calls were in response to a specific request or complaint and 1,148 were proactive department-initiated calls for service to help carry out city goals and enforce city codes. Changes to the city’s municipal code went into effect during this quarter, therefore officers were more proactive to educate and enforce restrictions such as camping in public, trespassing and drinking in public parks.
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE
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 has a mental health crisis and is hospitalized for 72-hour psychiatric care when they are evaluated to be a danger to themselves or others.
Public Safety
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
8 Percentage of all calls for service Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Homeless-related calls for services 9% 13%
Homeless-related arrests 17% 18%
Homeless-related citations 4% 16%
Homeless-related mental health holds 20% 3%
SERVICES
This quarter 72% of people accepted some form of clinical intervention. This includes case management, assessment, care coordination, crisis intervention, program information, diversion and treatment planning.
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
9 The Homeless Outreach Team officers and contract social workers provide a lot of other services in addition to clinical services.
Services accepted Q2
Information only 328
Emergency shelter referral 53
Mail delivery 32
Transit passes and rideshare
assistance 31
Police transportation 24
Substance abuse treatment referral 17
ID voucher distribution 15
Permanent or bridge housing referral 13
Benefits access referral (medical
insurance, CalFresh program, VA
benefits, etc.)
12 Other (appointment coordination,
blankets, etc.)
12 Food assistance 11
Hospital transport 9
Mental & physical health care referral 8
Personal needs assistance (clothing,
phone, prescriptions, etc.) 5
Reunification travel assistance referral 5
TOTAL 575
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
10 In late September the City Council approved amendments to the city’s municipal code to address public safety and quality-of-life concerns related to homelessness and public spaces. These new laws became effective Nov. 11, 2021. Changes addressed camping on public, private and open space property, obstruction of property, trespassing, disorderly conduct and expanded the areas where open containers of alcohol are prohibited.
In coordination with the amendments to the municipal code, the City Council approved a one-night Hotel Voucher Pilot Program so that the city could enforce its unlawful camping on public property ordinance.
Those who participate in the emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program will be connected to services the following morning through the Homeless Outreach Team. The city may enforce its unlawful camping on public property ordinance if an individual chooses not to participate in the emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program and refuses another offer for shelter or housing.
The program was up and running in early November. From then through December, five vouchers were issued for a total of eight nights in a hotel and a total expenditure of $826.63. The city will utilize the new Hotel Voucher Pilot Program over the next 12 months and report progress through quarterly updates to the City Council so adjustments can be made as needed.
The code amendments provide police officers with the enforcement tools to ensure public safety and a decent quality of life for all people in Carlsbad. Police officers will continue to use their discretion to issue warnings and citations and make misdemeanor arrests. City staff will continue to monitor how the team balances the need to build rapport with the homeless community while holding them accountable and enforcing city laws.
Quality of life
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
11 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 Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021, to help keep the community informed and engaged about the city’s efforts to reduce homelessness.
1 community group presentation
3 virtual office hours
(small group community
meetings)
14 participants*
3 community newsletter updates
*Some community members attended more than one small group meeting.
Members of the Homeless Outreach Team and Housing & Homeless Services Department jointly provided an informational presentation to a group of educators. Additionally, staff facilitated three small group community meetings held virtually where community members had a chance to ask questions, share their concerns and brainstorm ideas.
Staff also responded to hundreds of phone calls and emails from individuals experiencing homelessness, business owners, social service providers and members of the public.
Public Outreach
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
12 The City of Carlsbad believes in addressing homelessness with compassion and fairness. Here is a current list of services created to help those experiencing homelessness as well as improve the quality of life of the community collectively.
Services to help individuals experiencing homelessness:
San Diego Humane Society
The purpose of the San Diego Humane Society contract is to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with a safe place to temporarily board their animals when they are not able to bring them to treatment facilities or services. Staff have found this has been a primary barrier preventing people from accessing services. The contract will provide short-term emergency boarding and emergency medical care for approximately 25 animals of persons experiencing homelessness – free of charge – so the individual can more easily access care and resources.
Rocket John portable restrooms and handwashing stations The Rocket John contract provides four portable restrooms and handwashing stations and routine cleaning and maintenance in the downtown Village. The city first added these public bathrooms in 2017 to combat the Hepatitis A crisis in the homeless community. With COVID-19, the city has added more restrooms and handwashing stations to promote health, sanitation and 24/7 access to clean water to individuals living unsheltered.
Community Resource Center
The city’s homelessness prevention and intervention contract with Community Resource Center that was funded by the state has expired. This contract provided rapid rehousing dollars to reduce homelessness by providing security deposit support, rental assistance, landlord advocacy, case management and financial literacy. In Q2, Community Resource Center screened and enrolled 17 new clients into its rapid rehousing program. The City Council approved a new, two-year $350,000/year contract in January 2022 to continue the rapid rehousing program with the Community Resource Center.
Interfaith Community Services
Interfaith Community Services is the current outreach and case management contractor for the City of Carlsbad’s Homeless Outreach Team. Interfaith Community Services provides two licensed or master’s level clinicians and one part-time licensed program manager. They provide seven-day coverage offering outreach and case management in the field to individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Carlsbad. The clinicians engage, assess, plan and refer individuals to resources like housing, medical care, public benefits, mental health, substance use treatment and basic needs. During Q2, Interfaith Community Services and the Homeless Outreach Team engaged with 226 unduplicated clients at-risk and experiencing homelessness.
North County Social Worker
Both the County of San Diego’s North County Social Worker Pilot Program and the new county behavioral health contract are now operating their programs in the City of Carlsbad, with two individuals providing outreach in the community. Both outreach programs have been working closely with the city’s Homeless Outreach Team, Housing Navigator and outside contractors to ensure that outreach efforts are being effectively administered and coordinated and prioritize the most vulnerable individuals.
Regional Partnerships
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
13 Urban Corps
The city contracts with Urban Corps of San Diego for trash abatement, litter and encampment cleanup related to persons experiencing homelessness. Urban Corps works very closely with Public Works and the Homeless Outreach Team and they are responsible for responding and triaging any incoming cleanup requests on city property based on health and safety priorities. The contractor has the capacity to request additional staff for large encampment cleanups or major city events.
Additional collaborations
The city collaborates with many stakeholders in the community to reduce homelessness including:
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
14 Each quarter, staff will include one or more success stories of real people who were connected to community services as a result of the city’s homeless response efforts. These are their stories, which they have given the city permission to share.
Meet Theo
Male, age: 67
Years homeless: 5
Permanently housed: December 2021
Theo had been living outside in Carlsbad for almost 5 years when he encountered the Homeless Outreach Team and the Housing Navigator. He found himself without a home after he lost his employment, his marriage ended, and he had nowhere to go but outside. With a small amount of Social Security income, he had only enough resources for food. He didn’t know how to take the next step to find a home indoors. Theo decided to take a chance on building trust with the service providers and began applying to find a new place to live. With the help of a Housing Choice Voucher and conversations with numerous landlords, Theo found a place to be his home just before the end of the year. He feels like he can finally breathe again and is glad to have a safe home.
What worked
• Homeless Outreach Team worked with Theo, helped provide hygiene items and connected him to the Housing Navigator.
• City homeless services staff helped him apply for and monitor his position on the city’s Section 8 rental assistance program waiting list.
• The Carlsbad Housing Authority had funding to issue a limited number of vouchers to those experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad.
• When the housing voucher became available, the city’s Housing Navigator helped Theo obtain critical documents, find apartments and fill out rental applications. • Through the city’s contract with the Community Resource Center, Theo got help with his security deposit, rental insurance and furniture.
• Theo is now housed and is adjusting to life inside.
Success stories
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
15 Daniel’s story
Male, age: 53
Years homeless: 2
Permanently housed: December 2021
Daniel was born and raised in Carlsbad. Unfortunately, throughout his life he battled drug and alcohol addiction and suffered from psychological disorders. When Daniel’s parents passed away and the family home was sold in April 2020, Daniel found himself homeless, still struggling with addiction.
In the same month, Daniel was detained for trespassing in a vacant home. The Homeless Outreach Team responded and began to help Daniel. Daniel and the Homeless Outreach Team remained in communication over the next year as Daniel worked through his struggle with recovery, including detox, rehabilitation screening and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
In May 2021, Daniel completed a screening for housing and supportive intervention. In July 2021, Daniel was linked with the County of San Diego for general relief. A month later in August 2021, Daniel was referred to and accepted into the Graduate Lodging Program. Homeless Outreach Team officers who never gave up on Daniel personally transported him to the program. In November 2021, due to Daniel’s determination and the Homeless Outreach Team’s persistence, Daniel entered a pivotal point in his life and began to turn a corner.
Homeless Outreach Team officers assisted Daniel with securing a job interview and transported him there on the day of the interview. Although Daniel didn’t get the job, he was not discouraged. We are happy to share Daniel recently moved into his own apartment and remains sober.
In a recent interview, Daniel said, “It is hard being on the streets when you are high, but it wasn’t until I was living on the streets sober that I realized I was wasting my life.” Daniel went on to credit members of the Homeless Outreach Team and said they are responsible for his comeback. Daniel knows that struggling with addiction is difficult and realizes it contributed to his attitude when he was offered assistance and declined.
This is just one of many examples, where the Homeless Outreach Team acts as more than just enforcers, but also guardians of the City of Carlsbad. Daniel has offered his assistance to the Homeless Outreach Team in the future with those they encounter that are service-resistant based on addiction.
What worked
• The Homeless Outreach Team worked with Daniel, connecting him to programs for substance use and addiction.
• Getting General Relief benefits helped him obtain a stable limited income. • Persistent service offering, although declined numerous times, was critical in being available when the client was open to real change. This helped build trust with Daniel over time. • Daniel is now housed and is trying to stay committed to his sobriety.
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
16 Staff have experienced several challenges around the implementation of the City Council’s goal to reduce the homeless unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years. Some of these include:
Multiple service providers
It has been a challenge to coordinate resources when multiple services providers are involved. As the city and county continue to add more programs, it will be critical for all agencies to meet regularly to ensure outreach efforts are being effectively administered and coordinated to ensure the most vulnerable individuals are being prioritized and served. During Q2, city staff helped facilitate the first case conferencing meeting with most of the service providers in the City of Carlsbad who are working with those experiencing homelessness.
Data collection
Staff will continue to look at better ways to refine the city’s data collection to allow for more real-time information. City staff are working to develop better metrics to measure progress towards the City Council’s goal.
There are challenges identifying and measuring service-resistant clients. Different outreach programs have different philosophies. It may be hard to track who is working with whom and how many times they have been engaged over a six-month period unless all of the providers are sharing and inputting data in the Homeless Management Information System.
Limited housing resources
There is a limited number of emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing resources in North County and the region. During the second quarter, La Posada, the only emergency shelter in the city, had several COVID outbreaks and was unable to accept new guests. In addition to La Posada, many of the other shelter options in the region have been closed to new intakes due to COVID outbreaks in their facilities.
Staff vacancies
There have been transitions and position vacancies in the Housing & Homeless Services Department, Homeless Outreach Team and social worker team. These vacancies have caused an increase in workload on the team. New programs have been slower to implement due to these limitations.
Overcoming challenges
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Reducing Homelessness
Q2 Report: Oct. - Dec. 2021 ___________________________________________________________________
17 City staff have several new programs on the horizon:
• The city is enrolling as a “participating agency” in the Homeless Management Information System which will allow staff to see real-time, unduplicated data of individuals experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad.
This system will help staff bridge households experiencing homelessness to regional housing projects and resources like Windsor Pointe, an affordable housing project that will provide housing and support services to homeless veterans and their families as well as people suffering from serious mental illness.
This system help the city monitor service provider contractor data.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department is in the process of recruiting for several positions.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department will begin the process to help La Posada to operate as a “low-barrier” shelter through additional licensed clinicians and a third-party consultant to train shelter staff.
• The city will be hosting and organizing the 2022 Point-in-Time Count on Feb. 24, 2022. Data from the count will not be available until several months after the count. When the data is available, it will be included in future quarterly reports.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department will begin to contract for an Employment & Benefits Specialist position who will be able to help connect people to employment opportunities and eligible benefits.
Upcoming work
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Exhibit 2
D
ec. 7, 2021 staff report to the City Council
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
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REDUCING HOMELESSNESS
QUARTERLY REPORT
Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021
Mandy Mills, Director
Housing & Homeless Services
Chris Shilling, Senior Program Manager
Housing & Homeless Services
Darbie Ernst, Lieutenant
Carlsbad Police Department
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Reduce the homeless unsheltered population,
among those who want help, by 50% within five
years. Provide quarterly reports for five years or
until this goal is met, whichever comes first.
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Comprehensive Plan
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Approved Work Plan
• All tasks on track
• All deadlines met
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Budget Report
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E
Budget Report
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E
AT A GLANCE
Community Resource Center
• 1-time funding from the state/Bridge contract
• Rapid re-housing funds
• Placed 10 households into permanent housing
• Bridged 5 people to higher-level resources
• Enrolled 17 new participants into the program
• New contract in Feb. 2022
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Interfaith Community Services
• 226 unduplicated clients experiencing homelessness
• Bridged 29 people to emergency shelter and 4 into
permanent housing
• Referred 34 people experiencing homelessness to
programs for mental health, substance use, and
healthcare.
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Acceptance of Services
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E
Acceptance of Services
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Services accepted Q2
Information only 328
Emergency shelter referral 53
Mail delivery 32
Transit passes and rideshare assistance 31
Police transportation 24
Substance abuse treatment referral 17
ID voucher distribution 15
Permanent or bridge housing referral 13
Benefits access referral (medical insurance,
CalFresh program, VA benefits, etc.) 12
Other (appointment coordination, blankets,
etc.) 12
Food assistance 11
Hospital transport 9
Mental & physical health care referral 8
Personal needs assistance (clothing, phone,
prescriptions, etc.) 5
Reunification travel assistance referral 5
TOTAL 575
Theo’s Story Theo had been living outside in Carlsbad for almost 5 years when he encountered the Homeless Outreach
Team and the Housing Navigator. He didn’t know how
to take the next step to find a home indoors. Theo
decided to take a chance on building trust with the
service providers and began applying to find a place to live. With the help of a Housing Choice Voucher, Theo
found a place to be his home just before the end of the year. He feels like he can finally breathe again and is glad to have a safe home.
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E
• Homeless Outreach Team worked with Theo, helped provide hygiene items and connected him to the Housing Navigator.
• City homeless services staff helped him apply for and monitor his position on the city’s Section 8 rental assistance program waiting list. • The Carlsbad Housing Authority had funding to issue a limited number of vouchers to those experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad. • The city’s Housing Navigator helped Theo obtain critical documents, find apartments and fill out rental applications.
• Through the city’s contract with the Community Resource Center, Theo got help with his security deposit, rental insurance and furniture. • Theo is now in permanent housing and is adjusting to life inside.
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E What Worked
Quality of Life
• Updated city ordinances
• Camping, fires, cooking
• Storage of belongings
• Aggressive solicitation
• Alcohol in parks
• Went into effect Nov. 11
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Emergency Vouchers
• Pilot program
• 5 households
• 8 hotel nights
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Urban Corps
• Encampment Clean Ups (15)
• Shopping Carts Recovered (37)
• Litter Removal/Power Washing (4 days/week)
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E
Police Calls for Service
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E 2,169 calls
1,148 officer initiated
1,021 dispatched
Daniel’s storyDaniel was born and raised in Carlsbad.
Unfortunately, throughout his life he
battled drug and alcohol addiction and
suffered from psychological disorders.
Daniel and the Homeless Outreach Team
remained in communication over two
years as Daniel worked through his
struggle with recovery.
Within recent months, Daniel entered a
pivotal point in his life and began to turn
a corner. We are happy to share Daniel
recently moved into his own apartment
and remains sober.
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E
• The Homeless Outreach Team worked with Daniel, connecting him to programs for substance use and addiction.
• Getting General Relief benefits helped him obtain a stable limited income.
• Persistent service offering, although declined numerous times, was critical in being available when the client was open to real change. • This helped build trust with Daniel over time.
• Daniel is now housed and is trying to stay committed to his sobriety.
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E What Worked
Point in Time Count
Employment & Benefits Specialist RFP
La Posada Clinician Services
Partner Coordination
I T E M 6 H O M E L E S S Q U A R T E R LY U P D AT E Upcoming