The work of the RTFH to identify, assess, and meet the housing and service needs of the homeless began in the mid '80s. The RTFH was established as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2004.
The RTFH mission is to partner with, and support San Diego County’s homeless service providers.
The RTFH is the sole resource for managing a County-wide homeless management information system (HMIS) that enables service providers to track persons served, to refer individuals and families to critical resources, and to gather key demographic data and to understand trends. The RTFH provides technical assistance, ongoing training, and critical data reports to many stakeholders: homeless service providers, our cities, San Diego County, elected officials, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Working together, we can better understand homelessness, develop best practices, and find solutions.
The RTFH addresses homelessness in a variety of ways, including...
- Increased ability to prepare statistical and programmatic reports for funders, boards and other stakeholders
- Managing a centralized system for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on homelessness.
- Providing technical assistance and training for local service providers.
- Empowering service providers in our region with key data and reports: homeless counts, locations, beds, services, etc.
- Conducting statistical research and advocacy.
- Initiating policy and collaborating closely with community groups, public entities, and others to implement plans to address homelessness.
- Publishing plans and special reports on a variety of topics relating to the causes, conditions, and responses to homelessness