The (click here for the Regional Plan) Regional Community Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in San Diego sets forth a shared vision and foundation for ending homelessness throughout the San Diego region over the next five years. The Regional Plan identifies system and resource gaps, promotes evidence-based approaches for the homelessness crisis response system including person-centered orientations like Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, and progressive engagement, places a focus on equity, and embraces the truth that ENDING HOMELESSNESS begins with a HOME, and EVERYONE can thrive in HOUSING with appropriate SUPPORT. The Regional Plan adopts the shared vision of an END to HOMELESSNESS across San Diego County through a housing focused, equity driven, and person-centered system of care. Ending homelessness does not mean there will never be another person who will face a housing crisis in San Diego again. Rather, it means San Diego will have a robust coordinated system in place to prevent housing loss when possible, and when not prevented, to respond with urgency, eagerness, and compassion, to engage people in a meaningful way, connect them to permanent housing as quickly as possible, and provide stabilizing community supports.
SYSTEM CHALLENGES, RESOURCE GAPS, AND NEEDED SHIFTS
While the system is stronger and are more resources and committment to to address homelessness than ever before, critical gaps and challenges remain in San Diego.
CRITICAL SYSTEM CHALLENGES
1. Fragmented Leadership, Vision, and Lack of Regional Coordination and Funding Alignment
2. Significant Disparities Exist
3. Authentically Incorporating the Voices of People with Lived Experience
4. Homeless System Infrastructure Refinement — Expand Use of Coordinated Entry and Use of Data to Drive Decisions
5. Significant Shortage of Housing that is Affordable and Willingness to Address
6. Responding to Unsheltered Homelessness
7. Lack of Available Low-Barrier Shelter Options
8. Need for More Health and Behavioral Health Services and Partnerships
9. Need for More Focus on Preventing Homelessness and Targeting Resources
10. Trained and Sustainable Workforce
CORE SYSTEM PRINCIPLES EXPECTED OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN SAN DIEGO To achieve the vision outlined in this plan, the region commits to a set of principles that both defines our culture of working in collaboration and directs how we will work to prevent and end homelessness in San Diego moving forward.
● Act with Urgency, Compassion, and Eagerness
● Unified and Committed Leadership
● Commit to Housing as the Solution
● Center Racial Equity and Social Justice
● Include and Value the Voices of People with Lived Experience
● Share Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency
● Promote a Person-Centered Homelessness Response System
● Value the Critical Role of Homeless Services Providers
● Data Must Drive Decision Making
● Collaboratively Seek and Align Funding to Achieve Goals
Attached is a two-pager with statistics and more clarifying information.
Please reach out to Darnisha Hunter with any questions, DHunter@sandiego.gov
From Darnisha Hunter, Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RFTH): We All Count 2023 Volunteers NEEDED!
The purpose of #WeAllCount is to collect data on the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community. The count also provides an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of homelessness and to spark action. RTFH is looking for volunteers to serve as interviewers on Thursday, January 26, 2023. REGISTER TODAY! Please share the attached flyer with your network (Document: We-All-Count-2023-Flyer-FINAL).
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