Update on Strategies and Initiatives to Address Homelessness

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Update on Strategies and Initiatives to Address Homelessness

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At the September 24, 2024, City Council meeting, staff provided an Agenda Report Update on Strategies and Initiatives to Address Homelessness. The presentation covered key efforts, including coordination and collaboration with regional organizations to address homelessness and expanded outreach, case management, and housing navigation services. The City has also made significant investments in developing affordable housing and addressing vehicular homelessness. The significant reduction in the City's Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) was also highlighted, emphasizing its impact on local programs.

The State of California reduced the City of Santa Barbara's Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) from $775,000 to $388,450 for this Fiscal Year (FY) due to declines in state revenue, impacting grants that support local programs and services. Created under Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) in 2017, the PLHA program provides a permanent funding source for cities and counties to address unmet affordable housing needs and increase the availability of affordable housing units. This reduction poses a challenge to ongoing efforts in Santa Barbara.

Current Challenges:

• Increase in Unhoused Individuals: The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise, straining available resources and services.
• Decrease in State Funding Sources: A significant reduction in PLHA funding directly impacts the ability to sustain effective local programs aimed at addressing homelessness and affordable housing shortages.
• Rising Demand for Affordable Housing: The ongoing lack of affordable housing exacerbates the situation, making it difficult for vulnerable populations, including seniors and families with children, to maintain or secure stable housing.
• Increase in Immigration Needs: The City is experiencing a rise in the number of immigrants seeking asylum and undocumented workers. This increase requires enhanced support and resources to assist them in navigating the housing system effectively.

Over the past two years, the City of Santa Barbara has increased its investments and leveraged resources to implement new initiatives and expand strategies to address homelessness. Through strengthened coordination and collaboration, our efforts are yielding demonstrable results in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in entering the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to facilitate the appropriate referrals including relocation and reunification, residential treatment for substance abuse disorders, as well as interim and permanent housing placements. Unfortunately, the number of people that are entering homelessness from a housed situation continues to increase across the region due to the lack of affordable housing. This is especially prevalent among seniors with restricted income and families with minor children. Moreover, the City of Santa Barbara is experiencing an influx of immigrants that are seeking asylum which requires an additional level of support and language accessibility that makes navigating the system of care more challenging.

Addressing the Impacts of Homelessness
Homelessness affects everyone, and the City is committed to serving all residents, including the most vulnerable, to ensure neighborhood safety. Over the past two years, the Mayor and Council have expanded enforcement to address public safety, health, and environmental issues. This includes the Storage of Personal Belongings Ordinance, which helps manage belongings in public spaces and provides no cost storage for the unhoused who accept case management. The City also refined its Encampment Response Policy to allow for 24-hour notice for reoccurring or unsafe encampments.

With increased investments from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the State, and local agencies in affordable housing, housing placements have grown significantly. Recent projects include 28 studio units near Vera Cruz Park, 30 interim housing units in Downtown Santa Barbara, and another 80 interim housing units at the former Juvenile Hall, in partnership with Dignity Moves. However, more people are entering homelessness than can be housed each year, underscoring the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment across multiple sectors.

Budget / Financial Information
In FY 2024 the City of Santa Barbara invested a total of $1,654,589 in service provider partners in support of homelessness prevention, rental subsidies, shelter services, supportive services, interim housing, street outreach and coordination of services. The City also expended an estimated $6.5 million to address the impacts of homelessness from public safety and enforcement, encampment clean up, increased janitorial services, repair of damaged City facilities, and dedicated staffing support.

Council Update on Strategies and Initiatives to Address Homelessness.pdf