I know of a family who recently had their only home towed away during a stay in San Diego.
This situation could have easily resulted in the family ending up in San Diego’s constrained shelter system. However, through the intentional use of diversion strategies, we were able to prevent the family from needing to stay at a local shelter.
Originally from Washington state, this family had been traveling across California for some time with their five dogs. When their mobile home was unexpectedly towed, they rented a U-Haul to keep from sleeping on the streets and ed the San Diego Humane Society.
Thanks to Father Joe’s Villages’ excellent partnership with the Humane Society, we were able to connect with them. Using strategic “diversion funding” from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, we removed the motorhome from the impound center and gave the family gas cards to start their journey back home.
For years, demand for shelter beds has consistently outpaced availability. That, combined with the fact that more and more people are experiencing homelessness for the first time, means we must find strategic solutions to divert people toward more permanent housing.
This family’s story is just one example of how diversion strategies and assistance can keep people who are newly experiencing homelessness from falling into a deeper cycle of being on the streets. It’s also a key way that we can conserve our constrained resources for clients who may have more significant needs or barriers to exiting homelessness.
It is far less expensive for taxpayers to prevent someone from falling into homelessness. Studies show that a small cash infusion — on average of $2,500 — can resolve many of the minor issues that can spiral into losing housing. In contrast, once someone falls onto the streets, the combination of social services and emergency hospital or shelter stays costs taxpayers nearly $40,000 per person a year, according to a 2017 study. Flexible funds preventing homelessness is a better financial investment for the community, in addition to preventing another individual from experiencing the life-changing trauma of living on the streets.
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness considers diversion a problem-solving approach. It can range from short-term case management to temporary financial assistance with rent, security deposits, or utility payments. The end goal is to divert people in need away from the shelter system and help them find more permanent solutions to homelessness.
Our staff — including shelter staff and outreach teams — have been trained in diversion tactics and skills, such as meditation and strengths-based approaches, since 2021. This is an effective strategy — we’ve seen it work with our own eyes.
We know that people who must resort to temporary shelters often have a harder time exiting homelessness. The trick is to help people exit homelessness and their journey to stability and self-sufficiency as early as possible. Through key partnerships — like our relationships with the city of San Diego and other services providers — we can step in soon enough to help people avoid much of the trauma of experiencing homelessness.
Another key to effective diversion strategies is a tailored approach. Each of the roughly 10,605 people experiencing homelessness in San Diego has a unique story, with unique challenges and strengths. Any effort to help them exit their situation must be personalized to overcome whatever individual barriers they face.
Diversion strategies are also best when combined with other comprehensive services. In addition to our diversion assistance programs, we provide all of our clients with access to other key resources, such as employment and educational , food assistance, and tailored physical, dental, and behavioral healthcare.
Although incredibly effective, diversion is just one strategy to prevent and end homelessness in San Diego. We also have programs aimed at preventing at-risk people from falling into homelessness in the first place and services meant to help those who have experienced homelessness for some time achieve self-sufficiency. If we want to tackle this crisis head-on, we must focus on this holistic approach.
People who are newly experiencing homelessness should be ed in whatever ways necessary to keep them from falling into the shelter system. It’s better for both our neighbors in need and our city at large.
I invite all ers of our mission to us. Volunteer, advocate, and give if you can. Together, we can end homelessness — one life at a time.
Vargas is president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. He lives in La Jolla.
