Resolution Strategies is a flexible funding approach that helps households quickly and safely resolve a housing crisis without entering the homeless response system.

Originally piloted in 2019, this approach has been expanded and is supported by multiple funding partners to advance systemwide problem-solving efforts.

How It Works

Resolution Strategies engages people at the point of housing crisis through Diversion problem-solving conversations and engagement with outreach teams and system partners to identify safe, practical alternatives to homelessness.

This includes:

• Problem-solving conversations centered on the household’s needs
• Immediate, flexible financial assistance
• Connections to safe and stable housing options

Diversion is a key component of this approach, focusing on helping people identify safe alternatives before entering shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

To learn more about our local diversion approach, click here.

What It Funds

Resolution Strategies provides flexible, short-term assistance to help households stabilize their housing situation.

This may include:

• Transportation and vehicle-related costs
• Rental application fees and utility costs
• Temporary lodging (while waiting for permanent housing placement)
• Security or holding deposits for permanent housing
• Move-in assistance costs relocation costs
• Employment-related needs

Why It Matters

By addressing housing crises quickly, this approach reduces system inflow and minimizes the trauma and disruption associated with homelessness.

Key Partners

• Administered by RTFH
• Operated by Alpha Project for the Homeless, City of Oceanside, Crisis House, Escondido Education Compact, Father Joe’s Villages, SBCS, SDYS, The Salvation Army, & YMCA of San Diego County
• Financially supported by various community stakeholders

The Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) is a flexible funding strategy that helps people experiencing homelessness quickly access and sustain housing by securing units, engaging landlords, and removing financial barriers.

How It Works

• Secures units across the private rental market through a coordinated regional landlord strategy
• Matches households to available housing
• Coordinates with service providers and case managers
• Provides ongoing tenancy support to promote housing stability
• Leverages housing subsidies, including VASH vouchers and other rental assistance programs, to maximize access to units in a competitive rental market

This centralized approach improves speed, coordination, and access to housing across the region.

What It Funds

The Flexible Housing Pool provides flexible financial resources to remove barriers to housing access and support landlord participation. This includes:

• Rental application fees and security deposits
• Utility arrears and move-in costs
• Furniture and basic household needs
• Landlord incentives and risk mitigation funds
• Flexible funding to support access to available units in the private rental market

Program Impact

Since its launch in October 2020, the San Diego Flexible Housing Pool has demonstrated strong performance and regional impact:

• Exceeded first-year housing goals by placing 239 households into permanent housing (goal: 140)
• Housed 639 households and secured 653 units across the region (as of March 31, 2023)
• Achieved a 92% housing retention rate through June 2022
• Operates across all 18 cities, supporting a coordinated regional response to homelessness
• Prioritizes key populations, including veterans and youth, and supported housing exits during the COVID-19 response

Why It Matters

Access to housing—not just services—is the primary barrier for many households experiencing homelessness.

• Increasing access to available units in a tight rental market
• Creating a reliable pipeline of housing opportunities
• Supporting long-term housing stability
• Demonstrating strong outcomes, including high placement rates and housing retention

This model has helped hundreds of households exit homelessness and achieve stable housing, while strengthening landlord partnerships and improving systemwide efficiency.

Voices from the Program

Hear directly from participants and partners about how the Flexible Housing Pool has helped them access and maintain housing:

• Ending Veteran Homelessness
• Ending Family Homelessness

Key Partners

• Administered by RTFH
• Operated by housing partner Brilliant Corners
• Supported by public, private, and healthcare funding partners

This collaborative model allows the system to operate more efficiently and at scale.

Reports & Resources

Additional information about the Flexible Housing Pool model and outcomes is available in the following resources:

• San Diego Flexible Housing Pool Model Overview Presentation 12/2022– click here
• San Diego Flexible Housing Pool Presentation – Brilliant Corners – click here
• Brilliant Corners Housing Acquisition Model – click here
• Flexible Housing Pool Year 1 Report – click here
• Flexible Housing Pool 6 Month Report (Oct. 2020-Apr 2021) –click here
• May 2023 Monthly Report – click here

To learn more about the FHP, please email lahela.mattox@rtfhsd.org.