Regional Leader
On Homelessness
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently awarded RTFH Encampment Resolution Funding following a competitive grant application process.
In June of 2024, RTFH, lead agency for the San Diego Continuum of Care (CoC), in collaboration with the City of Lemon Grove and with support from Caltrans, submitted an application to address unsheltered homelessness along California State Route 94 in Lemon Grove. In January of 2025, the State of California awarded RTFH $8.4M to address this need in Lemon Grove.
“This funding presents a unique opportunity to leverage our partnerships with local jurisdictions, allowing us to apply for critical resources that will directly benefit our communities,” said RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler. “As the lead agency for the Continuum of Care, RTFH is in a distinct position to not only secure ERF funding but to partner with local jurisdictions to expand our existing housing-focused initiatives, including Resolution Strategies, Shared Housing, and the San Diego Flexible Housing Pool.”
RTFH follows HUD’s guidance around how to handle data during and after research projects, and in June of 2024 RTFH requested clarifications from HUD on data sharing. A summary of HUD’s response along with the agency’s full response to RTFH’s questions can be found here.
Tools are available to count people experiencing homelessness with more accuracy and provide them with individualized services. More municipalities should use them.
Who is Falling Into Homelessness and Who is Exiting the System? In the 12 month period between 10/23 and 9/24, 10 people found housing for every 14 people who experienced homelessness for the first time.
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness unveiled its first-ever Regional Community Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in San Diego (aka the “Regional Plan”) through a housing-focused, equity-driven, and person-centered system of care. The new plan sets forth a shared vision, identifies system and resource gaps, and promotes evidence-based approaches with the goal of ending homelessness in the next five years in our region. This “Plan of Plans” incorporates federal, state and local plans to streamline the San Diego region’s needs and create implementable solutions.
