In accordance with California Penal Code §933(c), public agencies must respond to Grand Jury reports within 90 days. The law mandates that the governing body of the public agency submit comments on the findings and recommendations to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. These responses must be provided promptly to the judge who impaneled the Grand Jury.
As the City of Carpinteria received the GJR on June 25, 2024, the City Council was required to respond by September 23, 2024. However, the Grand Jury granted the City an extension; the City must complete this response by November 26, 2024.
DISCUSSION
The 2024 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury reviewed the collaborative efforts of various agencies involved in the County of Santa Barbara's Community Services Department's Encampment Resolution Strategy. The Grand Jury focused on the roles of Public Safety, Housing, Mental Health, Health, Funding, and the Environment, examining how public agencies and nonprofit organizations worked together using both new and existing resources.
research touched upon:
Public Safety:
Fire Department Between 2020 and 2023, eight percent of calls were categorized as "transient-related." Within this timeframe, five homeless encampments were destroyed by fire, and two were abandoned. The Fire Department responded compassionately to encampment fire safety concerns and has initiated a partnership with the County Department of Behavioral Wellness to consider the implementation of co-response teams.
Law Enforcement The GJR found significant police resources are allocated to addressing homeless encampments in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc. The GJR also concluded incarceration is not a solution to homelessness. Additionally, the GJR noted law enforcement presence in encampments has hindered efforts by social service providers and volunteers to assist people experiencing homelessness due to fear and distrust.
Encampment Sweeps The GJR acknowledged environmental, aesthetic, and safety concerns related to encampments. The report noted the County in collaboration with cities, Caltrans, and Union Pacific Railroad Company cleared 700 encampments since 2021. The GJR recognized the challenges of clearing encampments, including personnel, equipment, and cost constraints, as well as the lack of adequate shelter options for encampment residents. The GJR further acknowledged the multi-disciplinary nature of this issue, involving non-profit organizations, law enforcement, and public agencies.
Grand Jury Report Response
November 25, 2024
Flooding The GJR highlighted the flood risks to encampment residents due to recent wet weather and reservoir overflow. The Sheriff's Office has employed helicopters, drones, and foot patrols to warn individuals near waterways of imminent danger.
Housing:
Point In Time Count The GJR mentioned the County's annual Point-in-Time Count, primarily conducted by volunteers. While the report initially stated that encampments were not counted, County officials clarified that local nonprofits were tasked with separately counting individuals in encampments. The report found a 3.7% decrease in the overall count between 2022 and 2023, but a 12% increase between 2023 and 2024.
Housing Inventory The GJR recognized the lack of affordable housing as the primary challenge in addressing homelessness. While noting the creation of 787 beds countywide, the report did not differentiate between interim and permanent housing.
Housing Resistance The GJR stated, without evidence, that only 20% of individuals experiencing homelessness have accepted congregate shelter beds and 35% have returned to encampments. The report cited "Encampment Strategy Plan staff" who claimed that individuals often return to encampments due to concerns about pets, belongings, and partners.
Housing Services The GJR criticized Dignity Moves for not adhering to Housing First principles. The County, with a 90% retention rate under Housing First, owns 18 sites zoned for 6,000 units but faces high development and service costs. Despite this, 700 encampments were cleared, and 1,400 people were housed in low-cost units between 2021 and 2023.
Mental Health:
Mental Health and Drug Challenges The GJR cited both the Point-in-Time Count and the County Department of Community Services for estimates of mental health and substance abuse issues among the homeless population. The Point-in-Time Count estimated 34% with severe mental illness and 27% with substance abuse disorders, while Community Services estimated 50-60% with mental health issues and 40-50% with addictions. The GJR then offered opinions, without evidence, on the causes and impacts of these issues.
Housing People with Mental Illness The GJR emphasized stable housing as a crucial component of mental health treatment. Outreach was identified as a key step, with compassionate providers building trust and cooperation among individuals experiencing both homelessness and mental health challenges.
Grand Jury Report Response
November 25, 2024
Educating the Public The GJR heard testimonies expressing negative perceptions of people experiencing homelessness and mental illness.
Resources for Services The GJR expressed optimism about the County Department of Behavioral Wellness' efforts to expand street outreach, crisis units, training, and collaboration. While recognizing the growth of CalAIM, the report questioned whether these increased supports would be sufficient to end homelessness.
Health:
The GJR highlighted the significant health challenges faced by the homeless population, including lack of basic amenities, infectious diseases, and substance abuse. The pandemic exacerbated these issues, and recent research suggests involuntary displacement contributes to increased mortality rates. Between 2019 and 2022, 143 homeless individuals died, primarily due to drug overdoses, cardiovascular disease, and suicide. To address these challenges, multidisciplinary efforts and partnerships with nonprofits have been implemented.
Medi-Cal expansion offers broader coverage for many homeless individuals.
Funding:
The GJR acknowledged the evolution of funding mechanisms for individuals experiencing homelessness, from traditional charitable donations to a more diverse range of funding sources.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided funding for staff positions within the County of Santa Barbara, enabling the application for and receipt of California Encampment Relief Fund (CERF) grants. CERF 1, focused on transit corridors, yielded $2.52 million, resolving 95 encampments. CERF 2, targeting creeks and waterways, was awarded $6 million. CERF 3, focused on individuals living in vehicles, received $8 million. Additionally, the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) program and the implementation of Proposition 1 will provide increased funding for services and housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The GJR reported that in April 2024, the County requested for $500,000 in ARPA funds to provide sanitation services including cleanup of encampments from 2024 to 2026. Additionally, $8 million in ARPA funds is available for future homeless projects over the next two years.
Grand Jury Report Response
November 25, 2024
Environment:
The GJR highlighted the environmental damage caused by homeless encampments, including riverbed erosion, vegetation destruction, water pollution, and hazardous waste. The County, unable to rely on CERF funding for cleanup, allocated $375,000 annually from ARPA funds for sanitation and $100,000 for personal property storage.
The GJR expressed concern over insufficient public funding for encampment cleanup and environmental restoration. Nonprofits like Health the Ocean, Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council, and Channel Islands Restoration are filling gaps in these efforts.
Findings and Recommendations:
The GJR concluded with seven findings and seven recommendations directed at various public agencies. The City of Carpinteria was requested to respond to Findings 2 and 3, and Recommendations 2 and 3.
As required by California Penal Code §933 and §933.05, each entity must respond to the findings and recommendations within the specified timeframe. Responses to findings should indicate agreement, disagreement with explanation, or partial disagreement with an explanation. Responses to recommendations should include one of the following:
Has been implemented, with a brief, summary of the implementation actions taken.
Will be implemented, with an implementation schedule.
Requires Further Analysis, with an analysis completion date of less than six months after the issuance of the report.
Will not be implemented with an explanation of why.
Finding 2
The negative effects of encampment sweeps can be mitigated when a variety of community resources are present at the time of the clean-up.
City of Carpinteria Response: Agree
The City of Carpinteria utilizes a variety of community resources in responding to encampments, including outreach and navigation services coordinated with community partners and agencies. The City also refers individuals to its Safe Parking program as part of its partnership with New Beginnings, which supports individuals living in vehicles.
Additionally, the City is exploring opportunities to expand this program to provide more spaces for individuals residing in vehicles.
Grand Jury Report Response
November 25, 2024
Recommendation 2
The County and the cities shall ensure that all sweeps occur utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach.
City of Carpinteria Response: Has been implemented
The City of Carpinteria prioritizes connecting individuals residing in homeless encampments to existing resources through the Continuum of Care (CoC). When possible, the City coordinates with service providers to ensure their presence before or during contact with an encampment, facilitating contact with individuals and connecting them to services.
In instances where service providers are unavailable, Code Compliance staff actively program serves as an accessible entry point for homeless individuals to engage with the broader regional service network, including housing and healthcare resources. Through these efforts, the City ensures a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing homelessness.
Finding 3
Encampments lack basic sanitation services.
City of Carpinteria Response: Agree
The City of Carpinteria acknowledges the threat to public safety posed by encampments lacking access to basic sanitation services. Consequently, the City allocates substantial funding for environmental cleanup efforts following the abandonment of encampments.
City-contracted cleanup crews are regularly dispatched to encampments in open spaces and creek areas to address biohazardous materials, improperly discarded needles, trash, and debris.
Recommendation 3
The County and the cities shall make trash cans, porta-potties, resources for handwashing, and sharps containers for safe disposal of needles and other hazardous waste available near encampment sites.
City of Carpinteria Response: Will not be implemented
The City of Carpinteria recognizes the significant health risks posed to both encampment residents and the surrounding community by encampments. For encampment residents, unsheltered living exposes individuals to a multitude of real and potential hazards and unhealthy conditions. Notably, these include a high propensity for alcohol and illegal drug use, sex trafficking, and exposure to safety risks associated with Grand Jury Report Response
November 25, 2024
the use of propane and other fuels. Additionally, the real and potential fire danger posed by encampments constitutes a significant risk to public health and safety.
In response to these health and safety concerns, the City of Carpinteria prioritizes moving individuals from encampments into shelter or housing, and utilizing outreach teams and law enforcement. This approach ensures that individuals receive care while allowing the City to focus resources on providing housing solutions.
Implementing Recommendation 3 would divert resources from housing initiatives.
Providing sanitation and waste disposal to encampments could prolong their existence, hindering the City's goal of rapid rehousing. Given the temporary nature of most encampments, providing these services is not an efficient use of limited resources.
Providing services directly to encampments has faced significant challenges in some metropolitan cities in California, and can sometimes unintentionally prolong encampment conditions by reducing incentives for individuals to transition into permanent housing.
Such efforts may also encounter issues like reluctance to accept shelter and other unintended consequences. Implementing the Grand Jury s recommendation could inadvertently establish a de-facto shelter in locations not intended for long-term habitation, potentially hindering efforts to encourage residents to seek safer and more stable housing options.
The draft response letter to the Grand Jury is included as Attachment B. Staff requests that the City Council review and approve the draft responses and authorize the City Manager to sign the letter for submission to the Honorable Pauline Maxwell.
POLICY CONSISTENCY
Responding to the Grand Jury report and addressing the homelessness crisis is consistent with state and local directives, reaffirming the City's commitment to tackling this critical issue.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
There are no fiscal impacts to the drafting, approval, and transmission of the response to the
LEGAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
This report has been prepared in compliance with California Government Code Sections 53600 and 53646.
PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING
None.
Grand Jury Report Response
November 25, 2024
OPTIONS
1. Review and approve responses to the Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury Report regarding Homeless Encampments in Santa Barbara County, Becoming Part of the Community Again, and authorize the City Manager Pauline Maxwell of the Superior Court, provide a copy to the current impaneled . (Staff recommendation)
2. The City Council could choose to not approve the recommendation and direct staff as determined appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Grand Jury Report On Homeless Encampments In Santa Barbara County Attachment B: Grand Jury Report Response Letter
Staff contact:
Ryan Kintz, Assistant City Manager
(805) 755-4400; [email protected] Signature
Nick Bobroff, Director
Community Development Department
(805) 755-4407 / [email protected] Signature
Reviewed by:
Michael Ramirez, City Manager
(805) 755-4450; [email protected] Signature
ATTACHMENT A
Grand Jury Report On Homeless Encampments In Santa Barbara County
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
ATTACHMENT B
Grand Jury Report Response Letter
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
CITY of CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA
November 15, 2025
Hon. Pauline Maxwell
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
2024 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
1100 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
SUBJECT: 2024 Santa "Homeless Encampments in Santa Barbara County, Becoming Part of the Community Again"
Dear Judge Maxwell and Members of the Grand Jury,
The City of Carpinteria is pleased to provide the following responses to the above referenced report as requested in the June 25, 2024, letter to the City:
Finding 2
The negative effects of encampment sweeps can be mitigated when a variety of community resources are present at the time of the clean-up.
City of Carpinteria Response: Agree
The City of Carpinteria utilizes a variety of community resources in responding to encampments, including outreach and navigation services coordinated with community partners and agencies.
The City also refers individuals to its Safe Parking program as part of its partnership with New Beginnings, which supports individuals living in vehicles. Additionally, the City is exploring opportunities to expand this program to provide more spaces for individuals residing in vehicles.
Recommendation 2
The County and the cities shall ensure that all sweeps occur utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach.
City of Carpinteria Response: Has been implemented
The City of Carpinteria prioritizes connecting individuals residing in homeless encampments to existing resources through the Continuum of Care (CoC). When possible, the City coordinates with service providers to ensure their presence before or during contact with an encampment, facilitating contact with individuals and connecting them to services.
In instances where service providers are unavailable, Code Compliance staff actively encourage accessible entry point for homeless individuals to engage with the broader regional service network, including housing and healthcare resources. Through these efforts, the City ensures a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing homelessness.
Finding 3
Encampments lack basic sanitation services.
City of Carpinteria Response: Agree
The City of Carpinteria acknowledges the threat to public safety posed by encampments lacking access to basic sanitation services. Consequently, the City allocates substantial funding for environmental cleanup efforts following the abandonment of encampments. City-contracted cleanup crews are regularly dispatched to encampments in open spaces and creek areas to address biohazardous materials, improperly discarded needles, trash, and debris.
Recommendation 3
The County and the cities shall make trash cans, porta-potties, resources for handwashing, and sharps containers for safe disposal of needles and other hazardous waste available near encampment sites.
City of Carpinteria Response: Will not be implemented
The City of Carpinteria recognizes the significant health risks posed to both encampment residents and the surrounding community by encampments. For encampment residents, unsheltered living exposes individuals to a multitude of real and potential hazards and unhealthy conditions. Notably, these include a high propensity for alcohol and illegal drug use, sex trafficking, and exposure to safety risks associated with the use of propane and other fuels.
Additionally, the real and potential fire danger posed by encampments constitutes a significant risk to public health and safety.
In response to these health and safety concerns, the City of Carpinteria prioritizes moving individuals from encampments into shelter or housing, and utilizing outreach teams and law enforcement. This approach ensures that individuals receive care while allowing the City to focus resources on providing housing solutions.
Implementing Recommendation 3 would divert resources from housing initiatives. Providing sanitation and waste disposal to encampments could prolong their existence, hindering the City's goal of rapid rehousing. Given the temporary nature of most encampments, providing these services is not an efficient use of limited resources.
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Providing services directly to encampments has faced significant challenges in some metropolitan cities in California, and can sometimes unintentionally prolong encampment conditions by reducing incentives for individuals to transition into permanent housing. Such efforts may also encounter issues like reluctance to accept shelter and other unintended consequences. Implementing the Grand Jury s recommendation could inadvertently establish a de-facto shelter in locations not intended for long-term habitation, potentially hindering efforts to encourage residents to seek safer and more stable housing options.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Grand Jury Report.
Sincerely,
Michael Ramirez
City Manager
cc: Ryan Kintz, Assistant City Manager
Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
Digital Copy to: [email protected]