San Diego County Launches Dashboard for Homelessness Data

San Diego County has introduced a new interactive dashboard detailing homelessness statistics for its unincorporated communities, including Lakeside, Alpine, and Fallbrook. This initiative aims to provide clearer insights into the number of individuals benefiting from various support programs, such as safe parking lots and the Regional Homeless Assistance Program, which offers rental assistance for local motels. In December 2023, nearly 590 individuals accepted some form of aid, marking a significant step in addressing homelessness in these areas.

The dashboard features a range of statistics that highlight ongoing efforts to combat homelessness. According to Dijana Beck, director of the County Office of Homeless Solutions, “By sharing this data openly, we’re not only demonstrating progress but also inviting collaboration to strengthen solutions for our most vulnerable residents.” This statement underscores the county’s commitment to transparency and community involvement.

Comprehensive Tracking of Homelessness in San Diego

The new dashboard complements existing methods for tracking homelessness in the region. For instance, the Downtown San Diego Partnership monitors the number of individuals sleeping outdoors in the urban core, a figure that has been increasing. Conversely, the San Diego River Park Foundation reports a decrease in the number of people living near waterways. Schools also report on students lacking stable housing, with 19,841 children identified countywide during the last academic year.

Prior to this initiative, there were limited regular updates specifically addressing unincorporated areas. In September, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal by Supervisor Jim Desmond to enhance data accessibility, leading to the development of this dashboard. Users can navigate through various tabs to access statistics related to different county initiatives. For example, the “Local Rental Subsidy Program” tab reveals that several vouchers intended to assist with rent payments remain unused.

Monthly Reports and Ongoing Support Efforts

In addition to the dashboard, the county will publish monthly reports titled “Monthly Unincorporated Regional Homeless Services Dashboard.” The most recent report from December indicated that outreach workers assisted 213 individuals living outside or in vehicles. This figure excludes those who declined offers of assistance. The count of 213 unsheltered individuals aligns closely with previous point-in-time surveys conducted annually, although this year’s results are still pending.

The report also highlighted that 96 individuals became newly homeless in unincorporated neighborhoods during December. At the same time, 115 individuals transitioned out of homelessness, although it remains unclear how many may have relocated to nearby cities. County spokesperson Tim McClain clarified that 81 individuals secured housing or shelter, while the status of the remaining 34 individuals is uncertain, as they either remain homeless or have lost contact with their case managers.

The online dashboard is accessible to the public at sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdhcd/OHS/ProgramDashboard.html. Through these initiatives, San Diego County aims to enhance its response to homelessness and foster collaboration to better serve its community.