Standards, Learning, and Training
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The San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness is committed to empowering our community with proven and effective best practices that have shown results to prevent and alleviate homelessness.

The RTFH continues to lay the developmental groundwork that we have set out to accomplish in establishing more formalized best practices for our region. These guiding principles, along with our commitment to step up our work in the community, will elevate all of our efforts regionally. These collaborative efforts entrust that our best practices will lead to better  outcomes. We are assured that these synergistic principles and practices will continue to evolve with our partnerships as we all move forward in the coordination of our work to end homelessness in the San Diego region.

Keep up with our events through the RTFH Calendar.

Getting Started

Foundational resources to help you understand the system—whether you’re new or need a refresher. This section is tailored to providers who are currently CoC recipients.

CoC Basics

The resources below, published by HUD, provide an introduction to the HEARTH Act, the Continuum of Care Program, federal reporting requirements, and how to set up a free HUD Exchange account.

Federal Reporting

These HUD-published resources cover CoC APR and ESG CAPER reporting, including report fundamentals, data quality, and how to use report data effectively.

E-Snaps
e-snaps is the electronic Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Application and Grants Management System that HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) uses to support the CoC Program funding application and grant awards process for the CoC Program.

This collection of resources is for first-time e-snaps users and users who would like a refresher on accessing their organization’s account.

 

Specialized HUD Training

Additional self-paced training is available through the HUD Exchange

If you are new to the HUD Exchange:

  1. Create a free user account
  2. Register for upcoming trainings and access on-demand courses
  3. Request in-depth technical assistance (TA) from HUD (if applicable)
  4. Submit policy or reporting system questions using the “Ask A Question” (AAQ) feature

 Acronyms

Please see HUD’s Appendix B Acronyms List

 

San Diego Systems

San Diego’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Coordinated Entry System (CES) are required for CoC- and ESG-funded providers to support federal reporting and connect participants to housing resources.

HMIS is the region’s system for collecting client-level data and tracking housing and service delivery. In San Diego, HMIS is implemented using Bitfocus’s Clarity Human Services platform (platforms may vary by community). CES is the standardized process used to assess and refer individuals and families to appropriate housing and services, and in San Diego, CES workflows are integrated within HMIS.

If your agency is required to use HMIS and participate in CES, please email support@rtfhsd.org to begin onboarding.

Required onboarding steps:

  1. Complete Agency Onboarding (join the HMIS Trust Network)
  2. Register Staff for HMIS New User Training
  3. Complete Coordinated Entry (CE) Workflow Training

For more details, visit the HMIS and CES pages.

Training Opportunities

Explore available trainings to build skills, strengthen practice, and support housing-focused work.

Core Outreach Worker Training

As part of the Regional Response for Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness Policy, outreach workers are required to complete consistent core training essential to their role in serving unsheltered individuals and families.

On-Demand Trainings (Recorded webinars):

Produced by Iain De Jon, the President and CEO of OrgCode Consulting

Motivational Interviewing Training

RTFH partners with UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs to provide Motivational Interviewing training for outreach workers who do not have access through their organizations.

Access:

Training is offered on an as-needed basis. Please contact rtfh@rtfhsd.org for future opportunities.

Diversion and Housing Problem-Solving Training:

Diversion and Housing Problem-Solving provides outreach workers with an effective, client-centered approach focused on early intervention, mediation, and sustainable housing solutions.

Access:
 To learn more or request training, please contact rtfh@rtfhsd.org for upcoming opportunities.

Trauma Informed Care Training

RTFH has partnered with the District Attorney’s Office to offer Trauma-Informed Care training. These trainings are especially relevant for staff working in outreach, shelter, interim/bridge housing, and permanent housing programs.

On-Demand Trainings (Recorded Webinars):

Part 1: Trauma Informed Care Training: Understanding Trauma – March 2022

Part 2: Application of Trauma Informed Practices – March 2022

 

Additional Training Opportunities

RTFH periodically offers specialized and advanced training for homeless service providers, delivered by experienced consultants.

Due to limited resources, some trainings may initially be offered to select agencies or staff. Please contact us for more information on current and upcoming opportunities.

Training Library

This training library features past trainings on specialized topics, developed and delivered by experienced partners and community stakeholders.

On-Demand Trainings (Recorded Webinars):

Webinar Tools & Resources

 

Standards and Guidelines

HUD requires every CoC to have adopted written standards that govern the provision of CoC and ESG funded programs. This includes standards for homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing programs. The San Diego CoC Community Standards sets minimum system and project level expectations for CoC and ESG programs and encourages all programs regardless of funding source to adopt and align with the standards. The standards outline the use of best practice approaches including Housing First and Trauma-Informed Care, as well as standards for addressing racial disparities, incorporating persons with lived experience, and utilizing the Homeless Management Information System and the Coordinated Entry System.

Click here for the San Diego CoC Community Standards

Click here Rapid Rehousing System-Wide Operating Standards of Practice

Click here for the Community Outreach Standards

Click here for the Policy Guidelines for Regional Response for Addressing Unsheltered Homeless Encampments throughout San Diego County.

Learning Collaboratives

A Learning Collaborative is a forum for service providers to develop and implement changes to how they operate, as well as overall system design changes, while receiving support from their peers and other experts in the work. Unlike individual or classroom style of learning, a learning collaborative is a form of peer learning.

San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative

Established in August of 2022 and facilitated by Townspeople, the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative (SDSHC) unites nonprofits, public agencies, housing providers, and community stakeholders to create stable, lasting housing solutions. By building a local shared housing system, we are making a direct, positive impact on lives across San Diego County. Network partners receive exclusive access to training, resources, and ongoing support to ensure the success of both shared housing participants and the staff who guide them. Ultimately, our collaborative effort aligns with San Diego’s broader goals to end homelessness, expand affordable housing, and promote long-term stability for all residents.

Ready to get involved? Explore our local Shared Housing Model on this page and on the SDSHC website, and join our referral network by emailing sharedhousing@townspeople.org.

San Diego Permanent Housing Learning Collaborative

Established in 2015, the Permanent Housing Learning Collaborative (PHLC) brings together a wide network of stakeholders involved in Affordable and Permanent Supportive Housing across the San Diego region. Facilitated by Housing Innovation Partners (HIP) – a local developer  sponsored by the San Diego Housing Federation, the collaborative includes housing developers, owner/operators, advocacy organizations, local public housing authorities, funders, and a broad spectrum of professionals and agencies dedicated to special needs housing. The PHLC supports its members through:

  • Collaboration and mutual support.
  • Training and capacity-building for project staff members in best practices from housing design to property operations.
  • Update and analysis of current and emerging trends in the industry.
  • Problem-solving common situations that occur in housing and mutual support.
  • Advocacy on any issue impacting PHLC members and voicing our needs with a unified voice.
  • Addressing other needs as they arise.

Meetings are held quarterly via Zoom. If you’re interested in joining the distribution list, please contact Jon Walters at jon@hipsandiego.org.

Shared Housing Model

Shared Housing Model Overview

Purpose & Vision
 Our shared housing model is a replicable approach designed to expand affordable housing options through collaboration, person-centered matching, and innovative tools. It fosters stable living arrangements while addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Core Elements

  1. Person-Centered Housemate Matching: We use a dedicated portal where individuals create profiles, connect with compatible housemates, and share housing costs.
  2. Community Collaboration: Our model brings together nonprofits, property owners, and local systems (like HMIS) to ensure long-term success.
  3. Innovative Portal: The portal offers profile creation, matching, and a resource hub—providing practical tools for successful shared living.

Outcomes & Impact

  • Reducing housing costs and promoting stable housing for vulnerable populations.
  • Strengthening community bonds through shared living.
  • A proven model that can be adapted by other regions to create sustainable housing solutions.

How to Adopt This Model

By following these practical steps, your community can effectively adopt and scale the shared housing model, tailored to your local needs. 

  1. Design a person-centered housemate matching process based on preferences and compatibility.
  2. Develop or adapt a portal that facilitates matching, provides resources, and supports shared living.
  3. Build partnerships with local property owners and integrate with existing systems (e.g., HMIS).
  4. Build community buy-in by engaging local stakeholders early and often.
  5. Track outcomes, ensure transparency, and maintain accountability throughout the process.
  6. Scale thoughtfully, sharing lessons learned, and adapting as needed for sustainable growth.

To learn more, please visit our local San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative Website

Landlord Engagement & Implementation Resources

National Resources

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