Homeless service providers in San Diego County have received a staggering $2.37 billion from local governments between 2015 and 2022, according to a recent report released by the San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation (SDTEF). Despite this massive expenditure, homelessness in the county appears to be increasing rather than decreasing.
The 2023 point-in-time count found 10,264 homeless individuals in San Diego County, a 14% increase from the previous year, as reported by NBC San Diego. The funds, which do not include federal or state investments or philanthropic contributions to the county, have evidently had little impact on addressing the homelessness crisis.
The reason for this lack of progress is clear to Homeless Advocate Michael McConnell, who told NBC 7 San Diego, "The missing link in the equation is there’s nowhere for folks to go. There’s not enough housing, affordable housing for people who are not making a lot of money." The San Diego Union-Tribune has also reported persistently increasing outreach efforts, housing services, and shelter beds in recent years, with no evident success in curbing the problem.
SDTEF's report serves as a wake-up call for local leaders as they search for efficient and effective strategies to combat homelessness in the county. "Wouldn’t it be great if we could match the dollars to actual outcomes and see what’s working?” says Haney Hong, the President and CEO of the San Diego Taxpayer Association, in the Union-Tribune.
One of SDTEF's initiatives involves working with the Homeless Management Information System, managed by The Regional Taskforce on Homelessness, to collect data on service outcomes. This information could help identify strong performers in homelessness services and guide local leaders to better allocate public investment, as mentioned on NBC San Diego.
Furthermore, SDTEF's Public Regional Outcomes Standards Board (PROS Board) has recently approved two new measurement and reporting standards to improve transparency and trust in performance reporting for homelessness services, according to a press release by the organization.
The PROS Board standard on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion aims to increase transparency around demographic disparities in client outcomes while the standard on rapid exits and diversion focuses on transparency in efforts to help clients overcome homelessness through their own networks, instead of relying on costly housing programs. The board is also seeking public comment on a standard measuring and reporting clients' stability in housing until July 27, 2023.
Tackling homelessness is a complex issue, and the situation in San Diego County demonstrates that pouring money into services alone won't solve the problem. As Haney Hong and the SDTEF emphasize, tracking the effectiveness of current funding and targeting resources towards proven strategies is crucial in driving meaningful change.
It's also important to remember that homelessness is not just a financial issue; it's a human issue, affecting thousands of individuals and their families. Addressing the root causes of the problem, such as lack of affordable housing and access to essential services, must remain a priority for local governments and community members alike if we wish to see a significant, lasting improvement in the lives of those affected by homelessness in San Diego County or any other region.
