The All In SJC newsletter is about communicating actions, ideas, policy,
research and stories about people who have been impacted by homelessness.
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Photo from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count |
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Partnerships in SJC need to be ALL IN
Op-Ed by All In SJC Partners
A large-scale, systemic challenge requires large-scale, systemic solutions. Instead, San Joaquin County–like the majority of places around the country–have focused on individual solutions. Giving someone a bed to sleep in tonight is an individual solution that will not prevent homelessness. Helping someone rehabilitate from a drug addiction; giving someone a voucher to try to find their own apartment; and feeding a family with a free meal are all examples of individual solutions that will not end homelessness.
To be clear, individual solutions provide safety, care and dignity to our community members and we should continue resourcing them. But individual solutions are not enough.
In addition to the above direct services, we need a large-scale, multi-sector approach if we truly want to end homelessness. Here’s what that looks like:
- End the criminalization of homelessness Include people with lived experience in decision-making processes and compensate them
- Commit to addressing racial disparities in policies and programs that perpetuate harm and trap people of color in poverty
- Improve “upstream” interventions to address mental health and adverse childhood experiences, including having more school counselors to support our children and families
- Prevent evictions through a comprehensive County-wide program with rental assistance and access to legal services
- Expand access to permanent supportive housing and trauma-informed services
- Advocate at the state level to bring more funding to build affordable housing for low-income families in San Joaquin County
All agencies and decision makers have a role to play here – San Joaquin County Continuum of Care, San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, County Behavioral Health Services, State Assembly Members and State Senators, school districts, police departments, hospitals and housing developers can and must work together. We are beginning to see greater signs of partnerships to end homelessness in each City. The Continuum of Care’s Strategic Plan on Community Responsiveness to Homelessness testifies to working collaboratively, yet we still need to scale our collaborations to a much higher degree to see the changes that will make a long term lasting impact in helping those experiencing homelessness.
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“We need a large-scale, multi-sector approach if
we truly want to end homelessness.”
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Visionary Home Builders Opens Applications for Liberty Square — "This community will feature a combination of studios, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units for low-income families with a focus on Veterans. A community center with a computer lab, and on-site daycare are just some of the amenities."
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Introducing the 2022 California Children’s
Report Card — "This year’s Report Card grades California on 32 key children’s issues, from prenatal to age 26, and includes data related to the impact of the COVID pandemic on California kids...Bright spot: The Family Urgent Response System (FURS) launched during the pandemic and is now providing immediate, trauma-informed support, in all 58 counties, on a 24/7 basis during moments of instability or crisis."
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Touching Story from Gospel Center Rescue Mission's
April Newsletter — “Together, the people at Collins Electrical, and the Mission staff have helped me in so many ways,” said Mark. “Because they worked together, I have a safe and warm place to heal. The Mission has provided me with three meals a day. As an amputee, I have a lot of medical appointments - and they transport me to and from each one. The staff cares so much about everyone.”
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Resources & Service Spotlights |
211 San Joaquin was able to warm line transfer 2,502 families to the ERAP Call Center for City of Stockton/El Concilio. |
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- Tracy Community Connections Center launched the Tracy Warming Center for the homeless in December.
- The City of Tracy will be breaking ground for a 30 bed permanent, low-barrier shelter in 2022.
- City of Tracy has a definitive strategic plan for homelessness created by the Tracy Homelessness Task Force.
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- Harmony Homes – All four tiny homes have been delivered and site improvements complete. The City of Lodi is completing final touches including furnishing the homes and pending final inspections. These units provide an exit to homelessness and stability, the City is excited to see these completed and the positive impact they will make to the community.
- Access Center – The City continues to move forward diligently with the programming and spacial design of the Access Center. The City is including members from the Lodi Committee on Homelessness, social service providers, County, non-profits, as well as City staff in their Programming subcommittee to ensure that they capture the key needs of those experiencing homelessness in Lodi and best practices on how to address those needs.
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2021 saw a wave of activity from the city to prevent and address homelessness. In partnership with El Concilio, 211 San Joaquin, local chambers of commerce and other local non-profit organization, the City of Stockton distributed $40 million in emergency rental assistance funds to help more than 5,000 families stay safe and stable in their homes despite economic hardships brought about by the pandemic.
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- The City has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for low barrier shelter beds. Through this NOFA the city seeks a creative and innovative partner in the development of over 100 additional shelter beds for homeless individuals and families. Additionally, the City seeks to develop new opportunities for safe camping or parking and is seeking an operator to help manage the program. Consistent with State and Federal regulations, the City has adopted a Housing First approach and all projects share a common emphasis of using time spent in emergency programs to engage, support, and assist homeless individuals in finding and maintaining permanent housing. The City will continue to seek and apply for all available state and federal funds in order to support and expand services and supports to help those experiencing homelessness get off the streets and into permanent homes.
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- The City of Stockton released a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSQ) for Safe Camping and Safe Parking Operator and Homeless Service Provider. Submissions are due May 5th, at 3pm.
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- The Clean City Initiative provides several free community recycling events and city-wide clean-up events throughout the year, mitigating illegal dumping and removing thousands of tons of trash each year.
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- Expanded the winter shelter warming center by expanding the contract for a full year of ongoing sheltering within Manteca.
- City of Manteca is exploring strategic capital options for a permanent shelter facility.
- Manteca is actively supported by nonprofit agencies in and around Manteca like Hope Ministries, Interfaith Ministries, LOVE, Inc, and partnerships with county agencies and the City such as the Manteca Police Department
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Kristen Birtwhistle
United Way of San Joaquin County
Alex McBride
United Way of San Joaquin County
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Rebecca Ray
Family Resource & Referral Center
Lisa Endo
Reinvent South Stockton Coalition
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All In SJC is Sponsored by |
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All In Project SJC Editorial Board:
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Betty Wilson
Business Council
Dana Sovinec
Mayor of Stockton’s Office
Jennifer Rhyne
City of Lodi
Joan Singson
San Joaquin County Clinics
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Hilary Crowly
Special Projects and Communications Manager
Kayce Rane
San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office
Melinda Ramirez
SJC Continuum of Care Board Member
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Marie Sanchez
Kaiser Permanente
Tammy Shaff
Dignity Health
Toni McNeil
Faith in the Valley
San Joaquin
Zuleima Flores-Abid
United Way of SJC
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