The City of Oceanside's Actions on Homelessness

The City of Oceanside is working every day to address this very complex issue. The issue of homelessness has and continues to be a top priority. Homelessness is multi-faceted with many contributing factors, including economic hardship, high housing costs, lack of job skills training, mental illness, substance use disorders, physical disabilities, limited support networks, life traumas, and more. The uniqueness of each homeless individual's situation requires a varied approach, and the more successful outcomes are built on a pattern of consistent engagement and building trust so the person will be in a position to accept the help that will lead to a lasting solution.

What is the city doing?

Two Police Homeless
Outreach Teams

Oceanside has two Homeless Outreach Teams (HOT) that travel with social workers to provide assistance to people experiencing homelessness. 
Often, it takes many approaches before an individual will accept help.  In the last half of 2020, the HOT made 559 contacts and assisted 339 people with services. Measure X helps fund the efforts.
More on the OPD HOT teams

Family Reunification
 
Oceanside provides a Reunification Program to help people reconnect with friends and family. Staff communicate with all parties to ensure stable accommodations are available, and then assist in travel expenses, if needed. In 2020, ten people were reunited with their families. Measure X helps fund this program.

Bridge Housing​

Oceanside employs Bridge Housing to shelter people with a plan to move towards permanent housing. In 2020, the City moved 62 homeless residents into Bridge Housing, with 43 moving into permanent housing. Measure X funding helps fund this critical effort.


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Shelter Coming

Oceanside is opening a transitional homeless shelter with wrap-around day services to obtain stability and transition people into permanent housing. 
Staff is collecting proposals now and anticipates the selection of a shelter operator in June 2021. ​

New Sobering
Services Center

Oceanside recently opened a Sobering Services Center, a place that Police can bring those under the influence that provides a warm, safe place to sleep. The next day, they are counseled and offered resources. Measure X funds this new facility.




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Housing Vouchers
 
Oceanside sets aside housing vouchers for seniors, veterans, families, and people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness.
 
Additionally, landlords can earn incentives by offering rental units for voucher participants.

shelter and interim vouchers

As noted, the City has begun preparations to open a shelter with wrap-around services and daytime activities to help residents develop a housing plan and assess needed services.

As an interim solution until the shelter is opened, staff is developing a hotel/motel voucher program that can be offered to anyone experiencing homelessness. The program will include room and board, case management, onsite security, and participants would be required to follow the rules.

The City also currently funds emergency shelters through its participation in the Alliance for Regional Solutions. The Alliance is an umbrella organization consisting of over 60 North County non-profits and eight North County cities. There are currently two emergency shelters in Oceanside for special populations: the Women's Resource Center has beds for female victims of domestic violence and the YMCA has beds for transition aged youth.

MENTAL ILLNESSES RESPONSE

Those suffering from serious mental illnesses can often end up on the streets and need an effective, compassionate response. The County is developing a Crisis Stabilization Unit for treatment at North Coastal Live Well Center and has launched a Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) pilot project. The MCRT program began in January and serves the North Coastal region when someone is having a psychiatric crisis. The teams consist of licensed mental health clinicians, case managers and peer support specialists. Requests for MCRT services are triaged by the San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) at (888) 724-7240.

what about encampments?

The 9th Circuit’s landmark 2019 Martin v Boise Decision has limited the Police Department’s ability to enforce Oceanside's Code prohibition against camping on public property without available shelter beds. The City continues to offer available regional shelter beds when available. Plans for a transitional shelter with wrap-around services are coalescing, and an interim motel voucher program is being developed. Frequently asked questions

further assistance

A wide variety of resources in our community are in place for those in need--from no-cost health care, counseling, food distributions, and more. Those needing assistance should call the Oceanside Housing Division at (760) 435-3360, or contact the Homeless Outreach Team.

become involved

There are many caring residents in our remarkable community that want to help. This complex topic cannot be solved by one entity alone. We invite everyone to become involved to improve the lives of others. Whether it's giving time, expertise, or donations, there are many ways to become involved: Ways to Help

For more information on the challenge of homelessness, please visit the City website.