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September, 2011 - Issue 4 |
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| Greetings! |
Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is off to a good start for you.
We want to thank XX 1090 for partnering with us to obtain clothing and blankets for San Diego's homeless population during the coldest season of the year. As a fan of sports radio, I enjoyed appearing on the show and getting the word out about those who suffer most this during winter months: people living on the streets.
Project 25 continues to enjoy success. We currently have 35 individuals enrolled in the program and the savings to taxpayers has been tremendous. Twenty-seven formerly homeless individuals are now in permanent housing, receiving the support services they need to lead successful, productive lives.
We are preparing to participate in the Point-in-Time-Count to obtain data on the local homeless population, which will greatly impact funding in the future.
Thanks for all your efforts to reduce homelessness in our community. I wish you a happy and healthy 2012!
Sincerely,
Brian Maienschein
Commissioner, Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
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| Project 25 Continues to Make Progress |
 | | Nick Macchione, Rick Gentry, Doug Sawyer, Ron Roberts, Brian Maienschein, David Ramirez & Brian Fennessy |
We are pleased to report on the tremendous progress of Project 25. Since the program began, we have seen a 72% reduction in ambulance rides, 70% reduction in ER visits, 83% reduction in in-patient medical hospitalizations, 56% reduction in arrests and 65% reduction in jail days.
The goal of Project 25, Home Again's Frequent User Initiative, is to dramatically decrease these costs and significantly improve participants' quality of life. Since the official launch in February of this year, 35 individuals have enrolled in the project and 27 are permanently housed.
Project 25 is an unprecedented partnership between United Way of San Diego County and the City and County of San Diego. St. Vincent de Paul Village manages and oversees Project 25, with a goal to provide permanent housing (via San Diego Housing Commission) and supportive services (via County of San Diego) to at least 25 of San Diego County's chronically homeless, who are some of the most frequent users of public resources. The three-year pilot program will track economic savings on a quarterly basis.
Click here to learn more about Project 25. |
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| 20th Annual Affordable Housing & Community Development Conference |
 | | Simonne Ruff, Matthew Doherty, Brian Maienschein & Patricia Leslie |
The San Diego Housing Federation held its 20th Annual Affordable Housing & Community Development Conference on October 13, 2011. Commissioner Maienschein was part of a panel discussion on "Innovative Approaches to Housing the Most Vulnerable". This all day conference located at Marina Village Conference Center, had an opening session followed by 18 breakout sessions.
Topics included Tax Credit Allocation, Green Building, Financing Sources for Affordable Housing, Property Management Challenges and many more. The event was an opportunity for attendees to learn and share best practices in the industry. |
| CSH 2011 Survey - The State of the Supportive Housing Industry |
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is excited to share the results of their second annual State of the Industry Survey. Taking the pulse of the supportive housing field enhances an understanding of the challenges, opportunities, trends and issues.
The results this year present a picture of an industry determined to promote supportive housing as an unparalleled and cost-effective solution to homelessness and a tool for solving other difficult social problems despite the economic climate. Click here to see the detailed results. |
| 10th Annual Interfaith Candlelight Vigil | |
We participated in the 10th Annual Interfaith Candlelight Vigil on Sunday, November 6, 2011. This event honors those who have passed away while living on the streets during the past year. Unfortunately, 61 individuals lost their lives this year.
The procession began at the San Diego Rescue Mission 120 Elm Street and the group walked to the County Administration Building on Pacific Highway, with three stops along the way. Once we arrived at the county building, a memorial service was held, honoring those who died. Sixty-one pairs of shoes were placed on the steps of the county building to symbolize the individuals who lost their lives on the streets. Commissioner Maienschein gave the closing remarks and commented on the importance of organizations that work to house the homeless. He explained that one day we hope no one has to die while living on the streets.
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Alpha Project's 2011-2012 Homeless Winter Shelter | |
Just before Thanksgiving, Alpha Project opened San Diego's 2011-2012 Homeless Emergency Winter Shelter for single adults. The shelter, located at 16th and Newton Avenue, houses and transitions over 800 men and women during the coldest months of the year. Alpha Project, in collaboration with dozens of providers, will also offer additional critical support services.
Over the last nine years, Alpha Project has served more than 8,000 homeless men and women through this program. The majority are senior citizens and individuals trapped in mental illness who struggle with physical disabilities.
The San Diego Housing Commission will administer the adult winter shelter contract on behalf of the City of San Diego. Additional funds need to be raised for 20 more beds, a morning meal, blankets, hygiene supplies, case management and other supportive services throughout the season. If you would like to make a monetary donation, donate items or for general information, visit their website here or contact them at (619) 542-1877. |
| Serving those in Need |
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St. Vincent volunteer, WLC founding member Linda Katz, Commissioner Brian Maienschein, WLC member Leslie Sutherland & United Way staff member Jini Archibald |
On November 30th, Commissioner Maienschein and eight Women's Leadership Council volunteers worked in the kitchen of St. Vincent de Paul Village in downtown San Diego. They scooped macaroni salad, put BLT fixings onto plates, and greeted each person who came in for a mid-day meal.
While some people wouldn't look them in the eye, others drank in their smiles and returned a beaming smile of their own. After receiving hundreds of thank yous, there was no doubt to the volunteers that everyone was thankful for the meal.
Reflecting on the day, WLC members felt the experience was especially meaningful: it reminded them how much each of us has to be thankful for. "It truly puts things in perspective," mused Dennise Acosta, new WLC Member. "It was really emotional for me." The Women's Leadership Council chose this volunteer effort to personally connect with the homeless men and women who live on our streets.
In addition to serving food, the volunteers also toured the new 12-story St. Vincent de Paul Village complex. Opening on December 8th, this new building will house a range of services to help end the cycle of homelessness including a child-development center, long-term transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. |
| Volunteers Needed for the January 2012 Point In Time Count |
There is still time to sign up for the Point-in-Time Count of the homeless conducted in January each year by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. This event is far more important than simply counting those who are homeless on a particular day or in the demographics that are gathered from in-depth interviews with hundreds of people who live without shelter. The PITC is mandated by HUD and results in nearly $16 Million in funding to support the day to day work of dozens of direct service providers throughout San Diego County.
RTFH needs hundreds of local volunteers to count, administer surveys and help with data entry. Contact Jennifer Litwak at 858.292.7627 ext. 16 or click here to volunteer. For more information, contact the Regional Task Force on the Homeless at 858.292.1392.
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| Commissioner Maienschein Updates Groups on Project 25 | |
Commissioner Brian Maienschein has been speaking to many local groups about our efforts working with the chronically homeless, and in particular Project 25. He spoke to the Rancho Bernardo Kiwanis Club and we provided an update at a recent Chula Vista City Council workshop on homelessness.
In addition, he recently addressed the Clairemont Town Council. They were interested in learning more about the homeless issues we face in San Diego and hearing about Project 25. We will continue visiting groups throughout San Diego to educate them regarding the chronically homeless and creating awareness of the cost savings with Project 25.
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| 2012 Project Homeless Connect | On January 11, 2012, we volunteered at San Diego's 6th Annual Project Homeless Connect which was held at Golden Hall, on the San Diego Concourse. The San Diego Housing Commission is the lead organizer for Project Homeless Connect, an annual day long resource fair, that provides health screenings, flu shots, dental exams, haircuts, drug counseling, legal aid, housing counseling and other services for San Diego's homeless families, veterans, seniors and disabled.
It was very rewarding to see how many people showed up to help San Diego's less fortunate.
The San Diego Housing Commission is the lead organizer for Project Homeless Connect, providing financial support and the agency's web site to recruit members. The major partners include Interfaith Shelter Network, Family Health Centers of San Diego and St. Vincent de Paul Village. Click here for more information. |
| 2nd Annual "Clean Your Drawers" is a Success |  San Diego Sports Leader, XX 1090 and on-air personalities Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith, Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton and Darren Smith again partnered with Bud Light and United Way for the 2nd Annual "Clean Your Drawers" event. The goal was to spread local awareness and collect clothing, socks and blankets to benefit San Diego's homeless population. The event was a tremendous success.
On December 9th, XX 1090 listeners filled a Bud Light delivery truck with donations that were dispersed among the provider community. We thank XX 1090 for their compassion for the homeless sleeping on our streets without blankets or warm clothes and look forward to a continued partnership in the future. |
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Home Again - A public engagement campaign of United Way of San Diego County
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