OCEANSIDE HOMELESS SHELTER UPDATE

City Council Approves Agreement
To address the growing homeless crisis in Oceanside and to mitigate community impacts, the Oceanside City Council took the next step at its meeting on November 17 to advance Oceanside's first year-round homeless shelter. They approved construction costs and an operating agreement with the San Diego Rescue Mission for the shelter at the centrally-located 3131 Oceanside Boulevard property.

The shelter will be solely for people residing or working in Oceanside and will be committed to providing a safe, low-barrier to entry facility. Services are to include stabilization and supportive assistance to connect people to income, public benefits, medical and mental health services, permanent housing, or other appropriate housing program solutions that are client centered. This program will use a person-centered, trauma-informed care model.

SHELTER TO INCLUDE:

LOW BARRIERS TO ENTRY
"Low barriers to entry" means the shelter makes help easily accessible and tries to minimize barriers like mountains of paperwork, waiting lists, and eligibility requirements, that can stand in the way of people getting the help they need. Participants will be referred directly by the Oceanside Housing Authority, the Oceanside Police Homeless Outreach Teams, and our community service partners.

HOUSING FOCUSED PROGRAM
The program will aim to help resolve participants’ homelessness as quickly as possible, while meeting basic needs. Access to on-site case management services will include a needs assessment, the
development of a housing plan, and coordination with county, state, and federal programs, as well as nonprofits and social service agencies, as needed.

NEEDED SERVICES
Shelter services will include 24-hour staffing, security, daytime activities, meals, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and safe storage for belongings. It will include basic hygiene and medical products, telephone access and message services. It will serve participants in a welcoming and solutions-focused environment. It will provide access and transportation to medical and mental healthcare, and substance abuse treatment.

The coming shelter is in addition to many other programs to assist Oceanside residents facing homelessness. More information.

ANOTHER COMING PROJECT

59 Permanent Supportive Housing Units for Homeless Oceanside Residents
In June 2021, the City Council committed $3.5 million and 59 section 8 housing vouchers towards a 60-unit affordable housing development to be built on Greenbrier Drive. The project includes $6 million in state funds, along with private sector funding.

50 studio apartments and nine one-bedroom apartments will provide permanent supportive housing for homeless Oceanside residents. Five of the units will be specifically for Veterans. 29 of the units will be set aside for adults with disabilities. Nine 1-bedroom apartments will house extremely low-income Oceanside families. One unit will house an on-site manager.

The residents will be provided with, and assertively encouraged to take advantage of, on-site supportive services for physical and mental healthcare, Veterans' programs and other needed services. Construction of the complex is expected to start in late 2022 and be completed by late 2024. More information

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NEW NORTH COUNTY RESOURCES

New Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Unit to Open Soon
CSUs represent a key service for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, offering 24/7 immediate behavioral health assessment, psychiatric services, medication, peer support, and transition planning. The Center will open in the North Coastal Live Well Health Center on Mission Avenue.

Additionally, the County and Tri-City Medical Center have entered into an agreement to construct a new 16-bed inpatient psychiatric facility on the Tri City campus in the future.

New SD County Homeless Outreach Team for North County
The County is expanding homeless outreach services by forming a North Region team. This is part of the County’s newly adopted Framework to End Homelessness.Outreach teams each have a social worker, a street case manager and an outreach human services specialist who work in partnership with cities and service providers to better connect unhoused people with critical services and support including housing opportunities. A team will be stationed in Escondido, with another team will launch in Oceanside in January. More info

REPORTING COMMUNITY IMPACTS

Residents and business owners can report a concern about homelessness such as abandoned carts or encampments via the free My Oceanside app, by calling (760) 435-4500, or by emailing [email protected].