Focused Street Outreach in Old Town Connects Dozens with Help to End Their Homelessness
Our Coordinated Street Outreach Program conducts focused outreach events across the city, during which outreach teams canvass an area to engage unsheltered people where they are and help connect them to supportive services.
These twice-monthly, multiagency events provide unhoused residents with case management, health education, public benefits, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, primary care referrals, and access to hygiene kits, transportation and other essentials.
Old Town/Presidio
Last week the City of San Diego’s Community Coordinated Access to Resource and Engagement (CARE) Outreach event took place near Presidio Park with outreach to those living near the San Diego River.
Partnering with the County and other local agencies and nonprofits, the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department is helping to get people experiencing homelessness off the streets.
During the four-day event, more than 250 intakes were completed to connect people to various resources, including shelter services, county benefits, case management and medical care.
For the first time, the Homeless Court and DMV services were also available on-site. Having the DMV onsite is especially important, because identification is needed to access benefits and other services and to apply for housing. We had over 55 people use the DMV services during the event.
Homeless Court helps people clear their records of misdemeanors and minor offenses, which can be a barrier to employment and housing. About 40 people availed themselves of these services.
Clients at the event also were referred to and stayed in shelters and safe parking and two people found a spot in treatment.
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