October 4, 2024
To the members of t he:
CllY CO UNCIL
Date ic/y CA ✓ cc ~
CM _L-1«:M ~ DCM (3) ~
Council Memorandum
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2024075
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Mandy Mills, Director of Housing & Homeless Services
Via:
Re:
Chris Shilling, Homeless Services Manag~
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Encampment Resolution Funding Grant ward (District 1)
This memorandum provides information about a new state encampment grant the city will be receiving to help address vehicular homelessness throughout the downtown area. Developing a plan to address vehicular homelessness is an action item in the Homelessness Action Plan and a high priority for t he community.
Background
Vehicular homelessness has been a growing concern throughout the region. According to the annual Point-in -Time Count, the number of people living in vehicles in Carlsbad increased by 93% from 29 in 2023 to 56 in 2024. Staff have been aware of t his trend and included an action it em in the Homelessness Action Plan approved in February 2023 to develop a plan t o address the growing number of people living in vehicles in t he city.
On April 30, 2024, Housing & Homeless Services staff submitted an application for State of California Encampment Resolution Funds (ERF-3-R) to implement a Carlsbad Vehicular Homeless Outreach Program (V-HOP) throughout the Ba rrio and Village areas of downtown Carlsbad. On October 4, 2024, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced that the city's proposal would be awarded the full request of almost $3 million for three years.
Grant Program
The grant funds will be used to con t ract with Interfaith Community Services and Community Resource Cent er to create a Carlsbad Vehicular Homeless Outreach Program (V-HOP) to focus on the growing population of people living in vehicles in the area of downtown Carlsbad. The V- HOP will use a multidisciplinary t eam approach including outreach social workers, peer support, employment and benefits assistance, substance abuse and mental health support, and housing navigation to meet the critical needs of people experiencing vehicular homelessness while creating pat hways for t hem to exit homelessness and enter permanent housing. The program could potentially be used as a regional, st ate, and national model for jurisdictions with simila r challenges.
A key feat ure of t he V-HOP will be the t argeted hours of outreach which includes ea rly morning and late-night hours t hroughout the week to better connect with individuals when t hey are Community Services Branch
Housing & Homeless Services Department
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2810 t
Council Memo -Encampment Resolut ion Funding Gran t Award {Dist rict 1) October 4, 2024
parked and available. The V-HOP will develop Individualized Service Plans for each individual capitalizing on the unique demographics and opportunities of people living in vehicles to develop creative long-term solutions to end their homelessness. A variety of housing options will be utilized including rapid re-housing and a priority focus will be on shared housing opportunities.
Funding will also be used to coordinate the grant activities and will offset approximately $360,000 in total general fund spending for Housing & Homeless Services staff over the next three years (approximately $120,000 per year).
Target Area
Below is the target area approved by the state:
..
Next Steps
An item will be brought to the City Council for approval of the agreement and related cont racts. cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Sheila Cobian, Legislative & Constituent Services Director Zach Korach, Finance Director